health care | FFXnow

Published September 3, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated September 4, 2025 at 12:09PM

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus patient drop-off (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Almost two months after President Donald Trump signed his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law, the legislation’s health care implications remain hazy.

Adopted on July 4, the federal budget reconciliation package introduced a number of changes to Medicaid, Medicare and the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that could lead to an additional 10 million uninsured people in the U.S. by 2034, according to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) most recent estimates.

News

Reston Hospital renovates facility to support new heart surgery program

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 13, 2025 at 11:45AM

Reston Hospital Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Hospital Center is expanding its services to include a new advanced heart surgery program.

Expected to open by the end of 2025, the program led by surgeon and Army veteran Dr. William A. Cooper will be the first new cardiac surgery program to launch in Northern Virginia in nearly four decades, according to HCA Virginia Health System, which runs the hospital.

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Fairfax County government, public school workers awarded for service to residents

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 3, 2025 at 3:45PM

Recipients of 2025 A. Heath Onthank Awards (courtesy Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored three individuals on June 24 with the 2025 A. Heath Onthank Award, the highest honor for county government and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees.

Saluted for their outstanding service to county residents were:

News

Inova brings specialist care clinics together at new Herndon facility

By Vernon Miles

Published July 2, 2025 at 9:15AM

Ribbon cutting for Inova Cares Clinics and Inova Juniper Program (image via Inova)

Last month, Inova officially opened a new care center in Herndon, bringing together its family, women, and children-specialized clinics under one roof.

The new facility is located at 365 Herndon Parkway, Suite 105, just across Fairfax County Parkway from Reston Hospital.

Countywide

Fairfax County looks to improve ambulance fee collections after contractor data breach

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 11, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated April 14, 2025 at 10:31AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue ambulance (file photo)

A new audit report suggests ways Fairfax County leaders can improve collection rates and recoup more of the costs of providing ambulance services.

Even as that discussion starts, the county is working to collect payments for ambulance services provided last year after encountering problems with a contractor that left many bills in limbo.

News

Reston Hospital expands cancer services, possible surgical center in the works

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 29, 2025 at 1:15PM

Reston Hospital Center staff cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of a new inpatient cancer treatment unit (courtesy HCA Virginia)

The future will bring new services and, potentially, a brand-new facility to Reston Hospital Center.

The hospital opened a new, 8-room unit for patients receiving cancer treatment on Dec. 20, 2024, completing the first phase of an expansion of its oncology program, HCA Virginia Health System announced last Thursday (Jan. 23).

News

New cognitive health practice to launch first in-person office in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 17, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Tysons Professional Center office building (photo courtesy of Symbiosis)

A local medical practice that specializes in care for dementia and other cognitive conditions is making the leap from online to in-person services.

After launching in mid-2024 with virtual care options for patients in the D.C. area, Sunday Health will open its first brick-and-mortar office next Tuesday (Jan. 21) in the Tysons Professional Center at 8320 Old Courthouse Road, Suite 401.

News

Oakton doctor pleads guilty to improperly prescribing pills, faces 20 years

By Jared Serre

Published January 17, 2025 at 8:15AM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An Oakton-based doctor pleaded guilty on Wednesday (Jan. 15) to improperly prescribing opioid and amphetamine pills after failing to properly assess patients.

David Allingham, who owns Oakton Primary Care Center, authorized renewals of medications without providing physical examinations of patients between at least April 2019 and January 2024, according to the Department of Justice.

Countywide

Fairfax lawmakers propose legislation on abortion, gun control and election reform

By James Jarvis

Published January 9, 2025 at 11:15AM

The Virginia State Capitol building (file photo)

State legislators representing Fairfax County are taking the lead on major issues in the Virginia General Assembly’s 2025 session, filing proposals addressing reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, gun control and election reforms.

Originally slated to begin yesterday (Jan. 8), the legislative session has been delayed by water service issues in Richmond stemming from the snowstorm on Monday (Jan. 6). Lawmakers will now convene on Monday, Jan. 13 and remain in session through Feb. 22.

News

Small businesses scramble to make way for planned VHC Health facility in West Falls Church

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 30, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated December 31, 2024 at 10:28AM

A sign for Graham Center in West Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

When it got approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this fall, VHC Health and Intuitive Health’s planned hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility was touted as a clear upgrade for West Falls Church’s Graham Center, transforming the aging strip mall with an innovative health care resource and much-needed road safety improvements.

However, for the small businesses that in some cases have been housed at the Graham Center for decades, the impending redevelopment has brought stress and upheaval, as they consider whether to relocate or possibly close their doors for good.