For Immediate Release: May 29, 2014
Report Details Key Occupations of Uninsured Working Virginians
Washington, D.C.—On Thursday, June 5, at 10 a.m. EDT, Virginia Organizing, together with Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, will release a report detailing the huge gains that Virginia could receive—in terms of both an expanded access to health coverage for uninsured working Virginians and an expansion of the state’s economy—at little cost to the state.
The report, “Medicaid Expansion in Virginia: Health Insurance for Working Individuals and Families,” will analyze the make-up of Virginians who would benefit from increased access to healthcare coverage, listing work status and detailing the occupations of eligible working Virginians.
In the health sector, the expansion would update and greatly improve Virginia’s out-of-step Medicaid program, which currently sets an annual income eligibility ceiling of $10,290 for a family of three and denies even a single dollar of assistance to individuals and families without dependent children, regardless of how low their income may be. Under the Affordable Care Act, coverage could be expanded to Virginia residents with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $27,310 for a family of three in 2014.
The federal government would pay 100 percent of the cost of expansion through 2016, decreasing federal support gradually to 90 cents on the dollar in 2020 and continuing at that level thereafter.
A teleconference for Virginia and national media will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at 10 a.m. EDT, to discuss the new Virginia Organizing/Families USA report.
WHAT: Teleconference and Release of Report by Virginia Organizing and Families USA, “Medicaid Expansion in Virginia: Health Insurance for Working Individuals and Families”
WHEN: 10 a.m. EDT, Thursday, June 5, 2014
HOW: Dial in toll-free: 888-438-5535, Confirmation code: 9058569
WHO: Ray Scher, State Governing Board Member, Virginia Organizing
Dee Mahan, Medicaid Program Director, Families USA
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Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan, and its mission is to secure high-quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans.
