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$15 Minimum Wage for Two Major Virginia Hospital Systems

Don Rush

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Two major hospital systems in Virginia say they'll raise the wages of their lowest-paid workers to $15 an hour. That amounts to about $31,000 a year.

The Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday that Sentara Healthcare and Bon Secours Mercy Health have each pledged pay increases by 2022.

The hospital systems in Hampton Roads are joining other large employers across the nation who are increasing workers' compensation.

Many states and cities have passed laws to raise wages as well. The federally mandated minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.