Speaker Howell and Delegate Chris Stolle on Governor McAuliffe’s veto of HB 2322

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell and Delegate Chris Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) commented Friday on Governor Terry McAuliffe’s veto of House Bill 2322, which would have allowed Virginia insurance companies to offer affordable healthcare plans if the Supreme Court rules against the Affordable Care Act in King v. Burwell.

“The pending Supreme Court case could potentially impact hundreds of thousands of Virginians and leave them without access to affordable health coverage,” said Speaker Howell. “Passing HB2322 was a proactive step by the General Assembly to make sure Virginians are able to purchase alternative coverage if the Court rules against Obamacare. The Governor’s veto jeopardizes the health coverage of thousands of Virginians who are caught in Obamacare’s tangled mess.”

“I introduced this legislation in advance of the Supreme Court’s ruling to give insurance companies additional flexibility to respond to the Court’s decision and to ensure that Virginians would not be left without access to affordable coverage,” said Delegate Stolle. “The Governor’s veto means that Virginia will be left with few options to deal with the ramifications of this huge case.”

HB 2322 would allow insurance companies to offer plans that do not meet the essential benefits package requirements of the Affordable Care Act if the subsidies offered to Virginians through the federal exchange are ruled illegal.