Home House Democratic Caucus statement on McAuliffe plan to close healthcare gap
News

House Democratic Caucus statement on McAuliffe plan to close healthcare gap

AFP

virginia-newToday, Governor McAuliffe unveiled his plan to help Virginians gain routine healthcare coverage through a series of executive actions.

Governor McAuliffe’s plan will provide coverage to 20,000 people with severe mental illness, help enroll 35,000 children in FAMIS and 160,000 in the Federal marketplace, provide dental benefits to pregnant women in Medicaid and FAMIS, and make it easier for veterans to seek healthcare outside of the VA system.

“I applaud Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Hazel’s impressive efforts and appreciate this entire administration for the work put into these programs,” said Democratic Leader David J. Toscano.  “Now it is up to Speaker Howell and the House Republican Caucus to come up with their own plan to close the coverage gap.”

“This is a giant step forward to help the poorest Virginians gain access to affordable health care,” said Delegate Mark Sickles.  “However, Virginia can and must do more.  It is time to unveil the House Republican plan to close the coverage gap that was promised last January that takes full advantage of our Federal tax dollars to expand coverage for all of those that fall into the gap.”

Governor McAuliffe’s plan gain will go a long way toward helping those that need coverage, but his legal authority limits Virginia from taking our $5 million a day to fully close the coverage gap for 400,000 Virginians.

Multimedia

 




AFP

AFP

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

Darian Bengston
Pro Wrestling

Darian Bengston: Actor, student, one of pro wrestling’s premier technicians

swimming
UVA Olympic Sports

UVA Swimming: Todd DeSorbo wins national coach of the year honor

UVA Swimming coach Todd DeSorbo was named the American Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year for 2026, his second straight honor from ACSA.

uva football tony elliott
UVA Football

UVA Football: Why do you play games you know will end up 59-3?

I’m trying to find the value in 59-3 blowouts of FCS teams that won one game last season, to justify leaving the house last night to half-watch a UVA Football game that not even the TV people wanted any part of.

jamey chadwell liberty
Football

Liberty escapes massive upset, sneaks past winless Gardner-Webb, 24-23

michael vick
Football

Hatemailbag: Michael Vick fans write to show support for their dogkiller hero

virtual learning
Local

Waynesboro Schools explore virtual learning for Westwood Hills students: Conflict?

tom perriello john mcguire
Trump's America

Perriello highlights pledge to fight for rural healthcare in underserved Fifth District