Posted on 04/06/2018 12:25:21 PM PDT by GIdget2004
Virginia may be one step closer to expanding Medicaid, after a Republican state senator on Friday said he would be willing to buck his party and vote with Democrats.
In an interview with The Washington Post, state Sen. Frank Wagner said he would support expansion, but only with certain conditions. He said he wants to ensure Medicaid recipients do not suddenly lose coverage if they earn too much money to qualify.
Wagner also said he wants a tax break for middle-income people with insurance who are struggling with rising co-pays and deductibles.
Medicaid expansion has put Virginias legislature in a stalemate. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has made expansion a priority during his tenure and wants to include it as part of the states budget.
But, while the state House passed a budget earlier this year that included Medicaid expansion, the Senate did not. The legislature will meet for a special session Wednesday to try to pass a budget.
Democrats picked up 15 House seats in the November elections and nearly gained control of the chamber. They need two Republicans in the Senate in order to pass the budget, with expansion attached.
Even if Wagner votes with the Democrats, there are still notable barriers to Medicaid expansion being passed.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
As a Virginia voter, I do not want to be on the hook for Medicaid expansion.
I do not have an issue with medicaid for the working poor. I do with the idle poor.
So much swamp....so many swamp dwellers.
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