What: Rally in support of Medicaid expansion

When: Saturday, February 17 at 12:00 p.m.

Where: Traffic circle on 5th Street and Federal Street, downtown Lynchburg 24504

Lynchburg, Va. —Virginia Organizing and other community groups will hold a demonstration in support of Medicaid expansion on Saturday, February 17 at 12:00 p.m. at the traffic circle on 5th Street and Federal Street.

On February 18, known in Richmond as “Budget Sunday,” the House of Delegates and Senate will release their respective budgets. Virginia Organizing leaders want local legislators to fight for Medicaid expansion in this year’s budget process.

Medicaid expansion will provide health coverage to 240,000 uninsured Virginians, create 30,000 jobs, and bring millions of federal dollars back into the state. After years of refusing expansion, the General Assembly has an opportunity to do the right thing.

“The citizens of Lynchburg need Medicaid expansion. Young adults don’t think about the consequences of not having healthcare; until something happens to us, we think we’re invincible. When someone has a healthcare crisis they shouldn’t have to choose between paying for prescriptions and life saving care or paying their utility bills. We hope our representatives will do the right thing.”

This demonstration is part of a statewide month of action. From the mountains in Southwest to Lynchburg to the Eastern Shore, in actions all around Virginia, community members are standing up to demand Medicaid expansion in 2018.

To interview a spokesperson about this event, contact Haley Wilson at 434-907-6116 or haley@virginia-organizing.org.