Virginia Republican backs state Medicaid expansion with work requirements

Republican Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore broke partisan trend on Thursday by backing  Medicaid expansion under the ACA, according to The Hill.

Mr. Kilgore backed Medicaid expansion in an op-ed in The Roanoke Times published Thursday, but only with the caveat of work requirements.  

"Kentucky, the Trump administration and an increasing number of other states, believe that the best way to get real insurance coverage, and the best way to improve economic opportunity, is for able-bodied adults to have a job with the opportunity to grow income and secure their family's financial future," Mr. Kilgore wrote. "This model is a path forward, and one we can support."

Kentucky is preparing to be the first U.S. state to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients after receiving federal approval to do so in January. The federal government has also approved Indiana's request to impose work rules, and a number of other states have made similar requests.

While new Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has supported Medicaid expansion and vowed to make it a priority, it is unknown whether he will back work requirements, according to The Hill.

A spokesperson for the governor told The Hill in a statement: "Gov. Northam thanks Delegate Kilgore for sharing his ideas about how to expand health coverage for Virginians who need it. He is encouraged by discussions with members of both parties on this important issue and believes we can reach an agreement that works for everyone."

If Virginia expanded Medicaid, it would join the more than 30 states, plus Washington, D.C., that have already done so.

 

 

More articles on healthcare finance:

Presence Health taps R1 for revenue cycle services
Study: Hospitals saw 1.5% higher private payer payments under ACA penalties
LRGHealthcare to restructure programs, lay off 16 employees

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars