Richmond, Va. – Governor Bob McDonnell released his amendments to the biennium budget bill this week, which added minimum conditions that must be met for the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission to move forward with Medicaid expansion in Virginia.

 

“Governor Bob McDonnell’s amendments to the budget pertaining to Medicaid expansion do not change the position of Virginia Organizing,” said Sandra A. Cook, Virginia Organizing Chairperson.

 

“Virginia Organizing still believes that any delay in Medicaid expansion is bad for Virginia and we hope that the reform measures the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission implements will not obstruct the path to Medicaid expansion.”

 

Medicaid expansion will bring about 30,000 health care jobs to Virginia. If Virginia delays expansion past January 1, 2014, we will lose $5 million a day of federal revenue.

 

Jim Lindsay, a member of Virginia Organizing’s Statewide Health Care Strategy Committee, said, “I am pleased that Virginia remains on a path to Medicaid expansion, the practical benefits of which are undeniable.”

 

The benefits of Medicaid expansion extend further than the economic benefit to Virginia. Over 400,000 uninsured, hard-working Virginians who are unable to afford coverage now would be able to obtain insurance through Medicaid expansion.

 

“Medicaid expansion should move forward without delay,” Lindsay said.  “Every day we delay adds to the needless loss of life simply for lack of health insurance.“

 

To interview a Virginia Organizing spokesperson, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.