State Sen. Lynwood Lewis on budget vote

I have been a supporter from day one on this most important policy issue, to close the coverage gap. It is the right policy for Virginia’s budget, for Virginia businesses and for the hard working Virginians in need of health insurance and the preventative health care services insurance provides. I have traveled throughout the 6th Senate District talking to constituents on why it is so important to enact Marketplace Virginia for the uninsured in that gap.

I continued to be a strong supporter of health care expansion on the floor of the Senate by twice voting to block 2 amendments that would have absolutely prohibited expansion outside of the budget we came to Richmond to pass. One of those amendments failed, and unfortunately, another passed. Once the fate of health care expansion was determined and blocked, I voted to pass the final budget. That vote was a mistake and I changed my vote to no with the Senate Clerk. I am sorry for the confusion this error has cause and I will continue to use my position as a member of the Virginia Senate to do all in my power to close the coverage gap.

Senator Lynwood Lewis represents the Sixth Senate District in the Virginia General Assembly.