Virginia health care: Pay by the month, get unlimited visits

Whether and how this emerging model should be regulated could be the latest sticking point between conservatives and Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe over health care policy.

Insurance companies don't oppose the idea of direct primary care in principle, but don't want imperfect legislation rushed through, said Doug Gray, executive director of the Virginia Association of Health Plans.

Getting the legislation passed into law, she said, would help provide legal clarity for doctors as well as small business owners considering providing direct primary care for their employees.

If the Democratic governor does veto the legislation, it will be only the latest conflict he's had with Republican lawmakers over health care policy.

The governor has tried in vain for three years to get Republicans to expand Medicaid, arguing it would be a low-cost way of increasing health care access for low-income Virginians.