Here are four things to know.
1. The spending plan, which covers the second year of the 2016-2018 biennial budget, relies on improved revenue and modest spending cuts, according to the article.
2. Ultimately, the state aims to close a shortfall while throwing money behind some new initiatives. Gov. McAuliffe said in the report projected shortfalls for 2017 and 2018 now total a combined $1.2 billion.
3. While Medicaid expansion is not the focus of the proposed budget, the proposed budget does include language that would give the governor authority to use hundreds of millions in federal Medicaid expansion dollars if the ACA still exists in a year, according to the report. Virginia is among the states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal and replace the law.
4. The proposed budget also adds spending for mental healthcare and substance abuse treatment. Specifically, the governor’s proposal would call for $31.7 million in new spending to improve state mental health services and treat substance abuse issues, according to the report.
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