VA Governor to Bypass Lawmakers, Expand Medicaid

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vowed Friday to bypass the General Assembly and expand Medicaid eligibility for about 400,000 low-income residents on his own.

The Democratic governor said his staff has begun working with the federal government, insurance plans, hospitals and other groups on how to expand health care coverage for the poor, absent approval from state lawmakers.

"Let me be crystal clear, I am moving forward to get health care for Virginian citizens," McAuliffe said at news conference at the capitol.

McAuliffe had tried unsuccessfully for months to persuade Republican state lawmakers to approve some form of Medicaid expansion. But he said Friday he had "no illusions" that Republicans were interested in compromising on the issue.

Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/Uo4K48

Source: Modern Healthcare