The 2014 General Assembly session begins on January 8, 2014 and will last 60 days. This year, like last year, one of the most important issues facing our legislators is Medicaid expansion.

 

Last year, supporters of health care and Medicaid expansion came together and worked hard to bring expansion to Virginia—and that work paid off! Today, we have a Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (MIRC) that is tasked with deciding if appropriate reforms have been met before expansion can begin. Those reforms are on target to be met, but the MIRC has yet to schedule a December meeting so Virginia can move forward.

 

The Virginia Senators on the MIRC have been open to taking a vote on expansion, but the House of Delegates members have delayed meeting. Will you take a few moments to call Delegate Steve Landes (MIRC Co-Chairperson) at 540-255-5335 and ask him to schedule a meeting? It would also be helpful to call Speaker of the House Bill Howell at 540-371-1612and ask him to do whatever he can to move Medicaid expansion forward in Virginia.

 

At this time last year, many people did not believe that Medicaid expansion had a chance in Virginia, but today, there is a real possibility this could happen if the MIRC meets and rules that the reforms have been met. Your call could make a big difference!