Democrats: Republican need to keep promise on Medicaid coverage gap

In advance of Thursday’s floor session, Virginia Senate Democrats urged Republicans to close the health insurance coverage gap — they have promised a plan to do so — and expressed disappointment at the prospect of continued Republican intransigence.

Said Caucus Chair Sen. Donald McEachin (D – Henrico), “In January, Republicans promised a plan to close the coverage gap. Eight months later, that plan is nowhere to be seen — yet taxpayers are spending tens of thousands of dollars so we can have a supposed ‘full and fair debate.’ Unless Republicans finally come to the table, that ‘debate’ will be a charade — a cruel and wasteful trick on families who need and deserve our help. I’m hopeful Republicans will not do that to the Virginians we all serve.”

Said Democratic Leader Sen. Dick Saslaw (D – Fairfax), “Virginians expect their representatives to do the right and sensible thing. Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming have all recently moved to close their coverage gaps, and Virginia should do the same. It is unfortunate that the session tomorrow is likely to be nothing but show. The Virginians who elected us deserve better than this.”