More than 200,000 Virginians —most without insurance— could access healthcare services under an executive plan announced today by Governor McAuliffe.
The 10-step program is called “A Healthy Virginia” and does not require General Assembly approval. The governor aims to secure as many federal dollars as possible—instead of funding the entire plan through the state budget.
State lawmakers had passed a measure prohibiting McAuliffe from expanding Medicaid on his own, so he directed Health Secretary Bill Hazel to develop an alternative. The plan requires four emergency regulations, one executive order, and applications for federal grants and waivers. McAuliffe said the state will launch an aggressive outreach to enroll those who are already eligible for coverage under federal laws.
“We’ll be able to enroll an additional 35,000 children in FAMIS and 160,000 Virginians in the federal marketplace.”
The plan opens up the children’s health program, known as FAMIS, to low-income state workers to enroll another 5,000 children. The governor said it also authorizes dental care for 45,000 pregnant Medicaid and FAMIS recipients and uses existing federal funds for some other needy Virginians.
“This new and innovative plan will provide medical and behavioral health care to approximately 20,000 uninsured Virginians with severe mental illness.”
Other provisions include accelerating healthcare access for veterans—using a new federal law and applying for the related funds.