50th Anniversary of Medicare + Medicaid Could Be a Bigger Win for All Virginians

RICHMOND, Va. - July 24, 2015 - PRLog -- On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson, as part of his war on poverty, signed the amendment to the Social Security Act that created Medicare and Medicaid. In the 50 years since, millions of Americans have gotten access to healthcare through both programs, helping keep them healthy members of their communities. Because Medicaid eligibility differs from state to state and Virginia has not taken advantage of the opportunity to expand eligibility, there is still work to do to close the coverage gap, currently making quality, affordable healthcare out of reach for up to 400,000 Virginians.

Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare is supporting a 50th Anniversary Celebration of Medicare and Medicaid on Wednesday, July 29 from 5 to 7pm at Grandy Village Learning Center, 2971 Kimball Loop, Norfolk, VA and Thursday, July 30, from 12 to 2pm at the Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Rd., Hampton, VA. Both events will feature US Dept. of Health & Human Services Region 3 Director Joanne Grossi, along with a Coverage to Care panel discussion, and information on 2016 Medicare & Affordable Care enrollment updates.

Some quick facts about how Medicaid expansion would positively impact Virginia:

* $1.64B in coverage funding would come to Virginia through 2022 (and the Federal government will continue to fund the coverage at 90% of costs thereafter)

* Medicaid expansion would add 20,000 jobs to the Virginia economy

* 25,200 military veterans or their families would be able to access care they cannot get through the Veteran’s Administration

In the 50 years that the Medicare and Medicaid programs have been in existence, the federal government has honored its commitment to Medicaid funding for all 50 states. The states themselves must elect to expand Medicaid, however, in order to cover uninsured people who don’t earn enough money to get tax credits to buy health insurance on the state or federal exchanges. Since Virginia’s legislature has not opted to take the Federal money to provide coverage, many of Virginia’s lowest income residents are locked out of access to quality, affordable healthcare and putting pressure on hospital emergency rooms and safety-net clinics to provide care.

Event information: http://www.vaconsumervoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/0...

About Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare: Virginia Consumer Voices works to build and sustain a broad-based consumer-focused coalition which includes patients, community and religious organizations, small businesses, organized labor, community health centers, and advocacy organizations to support the expansion and improvement of health care in Virginia.