Richmond, Va.—Virginia Organizing Chairperson Ladelle McWhorter issued the following statement in response to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe’s 2016-2018 proposed budget:

“Virginia Organizing is pleased to see Governor Terry McAuliffe has upheld his commitment to expanding Medicaid in this budget and we call on the General Assembly to work with the governor to help up to 400,000 Virginians get access to quality health care services. With a $0 tab for Virginia in this budget to expand Medicaid, it would be irresponsible and inhumane for the General Assembly to stand in the way of access to health care.”

Virginia Organizing State Governing Board Secretary Thomasine Wilson, was also pleased with Governor McAuliffe’s focus on expansion.

“I currently fall in the Medicaid coverage gap,” said Wilson. “I’m thankful, as an individual and as a member of Virginia Organizing, that we have a governor that will not quit on Medicaid expansion. I just hope the rest of General Assembly will think about people like me, out here working hard and contributing to our state without any access to affordable health care because my income is too high for current Medicaid criteria and too low to get assistance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.”

While the organization has been supporting health care reform for more than 15 years, Virginia Organizing Chapters and leaders have been organizing specifically to support Medicaid expansion in Virginia since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the benefit optional for states, even though Virginians are already paying for expansion.

“Virginia Organizing will continue to stand with hard-working Virginians trying to support themselves and have access to health insurance,” said McWhorter.

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