What: Rally in support of Medicaid expansion

When: Saturday, February 17 at 1 p.m.

Where: In front of the Meadowview Health Clinic, 13168 Meadowview Square, Meadowview, VA 24361

Meadowview, VA—Virginia Organizing, the Appalachian Peace Education Center, the Young Appalachian Patriots, and other community groups will hold a demonstration in support of Medicaid expansion on Saturday, February 17 at 1 p.m. in front of the Meadowview Health Clinic.

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.

“Medicaid expansion is absolutely essential to protect Virginia citizens financially and to provide access to affordable health care coverage, especially for the most hard hit in our communities,” said Maggie Oberman, a Virginia Organizing leader. “It’s our moral duty as citizens and community members to ensure that all our neighbors have the opportunity to live healthy lives. It’s time for Bill Carrico to take the lead of other legislators like Terry Kilgore and realize that Medicaid expansion is necessary for more than 11,000 Southwest Virginians.”

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 Robert Kell at 276-782-2809 or robert@virginia-organzing.org