Team,
Tomorrow the House of Delegates will reconvene in Richmond for
a special session to debate the proposed Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. As you may have read in today's paper, Click here for Virginian Pilot Article, there will be a heated debate. Under the rules, all Medicaid expansion bills will go to the floor for debate and vote.
I will vote no to Medicaid Expansion.
In spite of months of heated rhetoric and intense debate, nothing has changed.
1. Current Medicaid is approximately 21% of Virginia's budget and growing at an unsustainable rate, crowding out finite dollars for other core government services. Why expand that? Even with more of a federal share for expansion, the trajectory will not be changed. Current Medicaid must be reformed first.
2. Medicaid is an antiquated program that does not sufficiently address a growing population. Reforms should allow for new groundbreaking technology to be introduced that lowers costs and creates efficiencies. The private sector is rapidly working on such technologies. Here are some up and coming technologies
3. Lastly, Virginia should pass a bill, with the Virginia U.S. Congressional delegation's support, asking for a waiver to get all of our 2 billion dollars (approximately) in Obamacare taxes back to us. This, to make sure Virginians do not lose millions of hard earned dollars in administrative federal bureaucracy. If there is to be an attempt for coverage of Virginians who are childless able-bodied adults between 100-130% of the poverty line (this is what Medicaid expansion would cover) in a way that is a hand up, not a hand out and is within our budgetary means, Virginians know what is best for our own.
Additionally, we will be using the time in session to elect judges and make adjustments to the state budget, in dealing with the shortfall in tax revenues.
An aside - Our Fall Fest was an outstanding success. Three close friends of mine brought blue crabs from Maryland, oysters from Virginia, and fresh corn from Delaware. Team Taylor fell short, taking 2nd place in the corn hole tournament. Also, I had the honor of presenting Delegate Tata with a Commending Resolution. He left a superb legacy for the Commonwealth with his decades of dedicated service. Hats off Coach!
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