VIRGINIA ORGANIZING AND VIRGINIA NEW MAJORITY TO RALLY IN SUPPORT OF MEDICAID

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2012

What: Rally in support of protecting and expanding Medicaid

When: October 31 — noon

Where: U.S. Senator Mark Warner's Norfolk office (101 West Main Street, Suite 4900, Norfolk, VA 23510)

Norfolk, VA: Supporters of protecting and expanding Medicaid will gather at U.S. Senator Mark Warner's Norfolk office on Wednesday, October 31 at noon.

Some participants will dress in costume to send the message that losing health care is scary to the millions affected by potential cuts to Medicaid or the failure to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Rally participants are particularly worried about Senator Warner making budget deals that may include cuts to vital programs like Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent. 

Winston Whitehurst, Virginia Organizing South Hampton Roads Chapter leader, said, "This Halloween there is a lot to be scared of. Hurricane Sandy was very scary with her severe wind and rain, but what's more scary to me is the idea that millions of people may lose Medicaid coverage through cuts or failure for states to provide the coverage to those who qualify under the law.”

“This is truly an emergency as Virginia alone stands to have hundreds of thousands of uninsured people who won't benefit.” Whitehurst said. “We must take a stand to protect this vital service for those who need it to decrease the burden on our hospitals and taxpayers." 

The U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act in June left much of the law in place, but due to certain provisions, each state may choose or not choose to expand Medicaid to certain individuals.

Virginia Organizing and Virginia New Majority have placed a high priority on expanding Medicaid in Virginia to ensure that Virginians receive the full benefits of the Affordable Care Act. 

To speak to a spokesperson or rally participant, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org or Rishi Awatramani at 510-520-6449 or rawatramani@virginianewmajority.org. 

Virginia Organizing is a statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia. 

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