Medicaid Cuts Likely for Virginia

VHCA (11/21/2008)

Legislators who serve on the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee predict the state’s worsening revenue outlook will force cuts in both Medicaid and public education funding, programs they try to protect.  Legislators are fearful that Virginia’s economic outlook may force them to make deep cuts to the most essential “safety-net” programs, which includes Medicaid funding for the elderly and disabled. 

The Appropriations Committee two-day retreat was a very sobering preview of what we can expect to see in the Governor’s Introduced Budget on December 17th and in the budget deliberations that will occur during the 2009 General Assembly Session which convenes on January 14th. Click here to read an account of the retreat.

It is critical that your legislators hear from you before the end of December.  Since legislators will be inundated with calls and requests for visits once they come to Richmond, it is most important that you meet with them or call them before they leave for Richmond.

Remember that there are many advocates for public education - teachers, parents, and local government leaders - and they will forcefully make their case for avoiding cuts to education.  Medicaid funding does not have the same numbers of grassroots advocates as education, so your meetings and calls to legislators are all the more important to get our message out from legislators’ home districts.

If you need assistance contacting your state legislators go to the VHCA website.

Please email Mary Lynne Bailey regarding the results of your conversations with your legislators.