Will McDonnell reject your health care coverage?

July 10, 2012

The New York Times reports, "Gov. Rick Perry of Texas told federal officials on Monday that the state had no intention of expanding Medicaid or establishing a health insurance exchange, two major provisions of President Obama's health care overhaul... Mr. Perry's opposition to the provisions, while not surprising, angered Democrats and community health advocates in Texas. According to the Texas Medical Association, 25 percent of the state's population lacks health insurance -- 6.2 million people, including 1.2 million children -- the highest rate of any state."

Progressive Point: No one in America should be denied access to the health care they need. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, over 400,000 uninsured Virginians will become eligible for health coverage--unless Gov. McDonnell follows the lead of conservatives like Gov. Perry in denying health care to hundreds of thousands of his own constituents.

The Affordable Care Act puts you, not insurance company CEOs, in charge of your health care decisions. Governor Bob McDonnell could take that right away and single-handedly refuse health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of Virginians--whether we want it or not. No one should be denied coverage because of partisan politics. Our leaders should be the last people to tell us that we're on our own. Bob McDonnell can put Virginia's families first by simply implementing the Affordable Care Act and making sure health care is available to hundreds of thousands of Virginians.

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)


• Gov. Perry joins a few other conservative Governors who have pledged to turn down Medicaid funds brining the total up to 9.2 million Americans who would be left uninsured by their action and $258 billion in funds refused. (ThinkProgress, July 9, 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: Will McDonnell reject your health care coverage? http://bit.ly/OuuHVr via @ProgressVA