Tuesday, March 25, 2014

MEDICAID EXPANSION – LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT–ACT by 7:30 PM Tonight (March 25th, 2014)

From Bob Marshall

Friends,

Whether Medicaid (Obamacare) expansion occurs in Virginia depends upon what you do by 7:30 pm tonight.

Last night I drew up three amendments aimed at stopping the expansion. All three are amendments to House Bill 5002 the budget bill.

My first amendment eliminates language which authorizes appropriations for whatever is necessary to cover newly eligible individuals under Medicaid upon a simple finding by the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (“MIRC”) that “reforms” have been made.

The MIRC Commission consists of a committee of 5 Senators and 5 Delegates and its “findings” would not be reviewable.

My second amendment to HB 5002 eliminates a provision which would have limited any extension of Medicaid to a final date of June 30, 2016.  While some may think this might limit an expansion, there are simply no provisions in the so-called Affordable Care Act (or the HHS regulations administering it) or the President’s executive actions that allow Virginia or any other state to unilaterally withdraw from Medicaid expansion once it has been initiated.

And my third amendment to the budget bill prohibits the Department of Medical Assistance Services from administratively expanding Medicaid under the guise of adopting new regulations to cover other parts of Obamacare.

At 7:30 tonight, the General Assembly reconvenes to take up the budget, including my three amendments.  It is critically important that you contact your elected representatives TODAY prior to 7:30pm to let them know that you support these Marshall Amendments to HB 5002.

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Please make your voice heard today!

Sincerely,

Delegate Bob Marshall (R)
13th House District, Virginia