You might have seen the news yesterday that the Virginia General Assembly’s money committees (the Senate Finance Committee and House of Delegates Appropriations Committee) chose to exclude Medicaid expansion from the budget and instead, they want to increase state General Fund dollars to free clinics and community health centers. We support funding free clinics and community health centers, but we believe Medicaid expansion would enhance the entire health care delivery system in Virginia and is a comprehensive solution.

As you know, Virginians are already paying for Medicaid expansion through our federal tax dollars. Since our state lawmakers have refused to expand Medicaid, we are losing that money. Instead of taking federal funds to provide health care for 400,000 Virginians, we are now going to be paying state tax dollars—and still not get what we really need.

In a media release issued yesterday, I said, “Virginia Organizing is appalled and extremely disappointed that our lawmakers are ignoring the basic needs of 400,000 people, most of whom are employed taxpayers in the Commonwealth. Their proposed solution is unreasonable and does not begin to address the health care needs of many Virginians.”

I know you are disappointed too. Virginia Organizing is going to keep organizing for a real solution for those 400,000 Virginians because the people of the Commonwealth deserve better.

Will you take action on Medicaid expansion? Will you write a letter to the editor of your local paper? Letters to the editor expressing your opinion about Medicaid expansion are important because it keeps this critical issue in the public view. We need to make sure everyone knows about the poor decision our state legislature is making.

Thank you for working hard on this important issue!

Sincerely,

Sandra A. Cook
Chairperson