Richmond, VA - New Virginia Majority issued the following statement on Vote Against Medicaid Expansion: Today, House Republicans voted against Governor McAuliffe's proposed budget amendment to expand Medicaid. Once again, House Republicans have chosen petty politics over the lives of over 400,000 Virginians who will go without access to affordable healthcare. 

Despite the Affordable Care Act providing Federal dollars to Virginia to fund Medicaid Expansion, for five years Republicans have voted against it and wasted the Commonwealth's dollars.

“To know that I am being denied health insurance by elected officials playing politics with my life and the lives of 400,000 other Virginians who are trapped in the gap infuriates me,” said community member Keith Oliver, who has incurred over half a million dollars in medical bills due to lack of health insurance. “I don’t know what more it will take to put people first. I just hope they do the right thing before it’s too late.”

Everyone should have access to affordable healthcare. We are disappointed that elected officials continue to neglect the needs of Virginians. We will continue to fight for the Virginians who are legally prohibited from accessing affordable health insurance.

###

New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization, and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic, and environmentally sustainable.