It's time to move forward on health care reform in Virginia

June 29, 2012

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, "Virginia political leaders and lawmakers may not like the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to uphold federal health care reform, but they face big decisions soon on how to carry out the law in a national election year. The most immediate decision is whether to call a special legislative session this year on creating a state exchange for health benefits. The ruling also gives Virginia an unexpected choice on whether to expand its Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of uninsured Virginians."

Progressive Point: Yesterday's Supreme Court decision is a victory for Virginia's families. It means lower costs, more coverage, and more control over your health care decisions. Now that there's no question about the law's constitutionality, it's time for Virginia's leaders to stop dragging their feet and implement reform here at home so that Virginia families have access to the full benefits of reform.

Conservative leaders refused to prepare to implement the law during their regular General Assembly session this winter. So now Governor McDonnell must call a special session so that the General Assembly can get to work on creating a health exchange, or marketplace, in Virginia so that we provide affordable insurance access to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Virginians. Thomas Jefferson's advice was to never put off til tomorrow what you can do today. Our elected leaders need to heed that advice and make sure our families can benefit from the full range of health care reform by beginning implementing the law now. It's time to move forward together.

Get the Facts:

• Under the Affordable Care Act, Virginia has to decide, by Nov. 16, if it will set up its own state-based health care exchange or use an exchange established and operated by the federal government. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 29, 2012)


• Virginia legislators have to decide whether to expand Medicaid programs for over 400,000 Virginians who will be eligible for coverage or refuse the "100 percent federal funding for the first three years and 90 percent thereafter" for the program. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 29, 2012)

Forward to a Friend via email

Share on Facebook

Tweet it: It's time to move forward on health care reform in Virginia http://bit.ly/L8iri0 via @ProgressVA