Sen. Kaine and Rep. McClellan See Growing Chance for Congressional Review of Medicaid Changes Amid Voter Concerns
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, indicated a growing possibility that Congress might adjust or reverse Medicaid changes enacted last summer by the Republican-controlled legislature. During a roundtable discussion at a food bank in Henrico County, both lawmakers acknowledged that while it remains a long shot, voter concerns about healthcare have intensified since the passage of H.R. 1. They noted that members of Congress have heard directly from constituents during recess, with healthcare emerging as a primary issue. Kaine stated that while only a few Republican votes were likely a year ago, increased constituent feedback might now garner '10 or a dozen' Republican votes, with about a dozen needed to make changes. The current changes are projected to result in approximately 300,000 Virginians losing Medicaid benefits, and 125,000 Virginians have already lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Virginia's health secretary, Marvin Figueroa, who a...
