Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership praises Tom Rust’s Medicaid expansion

The Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership today credited Delegate Tom Rust for introducing the Virginia Health Care Independence Act, a bill designed to allow the Commonwealth to capture as much as $2 billion in federal funds to fund a private sector solution to close the healthcare coverage gap for Virginia’s working poor and uninsured population.

This outcome was endorsed by the Partnership last February during the 2014 General Assembly debate over Medicaid expansion in Virginia.

Delegate Rust’s plan also is intended to reduce the public costs of Virginia’s health care system, dramatically reform Medicaid while protecting Virginia against any future decision by the federal government to potentially reduce its contributions to the expanded Medicaid program.

“We applaud Delegate Tom Rust for having the leadership to put forward this Virginia Health Care Independence Act bill that addresses the health care coverage gap and Medicaid expansion.  We believe this is a good compromise bill that aligns with the elements of the Partnership’s priorities regarding this issue,” said Greater Reston Chamber President and CEO, Mark S. Ingrao, CCP, CAE.

“During the last General Assembly session, the Partnership endorsed an approach to Medicaid expansion that relied on a private sector approach to ensure all Virginians have access to affordable and stable health insurance, while capturing more of the hard-earned tax dollars that our business and citizens send to Washington, D.C. every year,” ,” said Loudoun County Chamber President and CEO Tony Howard. “

“The bill’s approach is good for Virginia’s residents, employers and overall fiscal health of Virginia.  It supports continued reform of the current Medicaid system – we believe this approach is a win-win on a critical issue for Virginia,” said Eileen Curtis President of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The organizations that comprise the Partnership believe the principles outlined in its position should be thoughtfully considered and included in an ultimate solution to reforming Medicaid and increasing coverage for Virginia’s uninsured population.

To read the Partnership’s Position Statement on Medicaid click here.