Dr. Becky Bowers-Lanier explains both sides to the current Medicaid expansion situation in Virginia.

Bowers-Lanier is the President of B2L Consulting, LLC, specializing in consulting with health care and education nonprofits on advocacy strategy and grassroots advocacy development. Bowers-Lanier has more than 20 years of experience as a staff nurse and nurse educator.

Dr. Becky Bowers-Lanier provides updates to both sides of the current Medicaid expansion situation in Virginia.

She is Interviewed by Dr. Marshall Patti from the JMU College of Business. At JMU Marshall is the College of Business Civic Engagement Fellow, a member of the Civic Engagement Team, and is the advisor to the JMU College Republicans.  He is serving as an Augusta County Board of Supervisor (R) since 2012, and is the treasurer for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. 

Links from Dr. Bowers-Lanier's interviews

• Proponents: Healthcare for all Virginians Coalition, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, Chambers of Commerce,  The Commonwealth Institute  and  Virginia Organizing
• Opponents:  Heritage Foundation,  The National Federation and ALEC

Understanding Medicaid

2017 Medicaid at a Glance

Medicaid Moving Forward

This brief provides a summary of the Medicaid program –its cost, how the ACA expands availability to those who may be previously not been eligible, and the expected outcomes of increased access to health care for the previously uninsured population.

Economics of the Medicaid Expansion on Virginia’s Economy –a later look by the Commonwealth Institute

Visualizing Health Policy: Understanding the Effect of Medicaid Expansion Decisions in the South

This article presents an “infographic” that depicts the impact of Medicaid expansion (or lack thereof) in the South.

Cato on Medicaid

Cato’s entitlement research demonstrates that consumers are better off when they, and not the government, are in charge of how their money is spent. This applies to health care, Social Security, and other areas where the government currently controls the dispersal of our tax dollars. In particular, Cato has been a longtime advocate of deregulating the health care industry, so that consumers can afford the health care insurance and treatment of their choice, and privatizing Social Security.

Roadmap: Path to Progress 

The Commonwealth Institute report discusses major health and economic issues, along with policy solutions, for Virginians. The Health Care section emphasized health care access.

NPR on Medicaid Expansion:

NPR and the discussion on states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Optional Resource to Review:

League of Women Voter’s Forum on Medicaid Expansion Video

60 Minutes: The Health Wagon

Virginia’s Failure to Close the Coverage Gap Shows up in Census Data

Virginia is feeling the consequences of not closing the health coverage gap. While neighboring states such as West Virginia and Kentucky are making big progress, 746,000 Virginians still lack health insurance, which means they can’t get the care they need to go to work, take care of their kids, and be healthy, productive members of their community, according to 2015 Census data released September 13, 2016.

New Income and Poverty Data Shows How Improving Economy Health Virginia Families, Yet Too Many Are Still Left Behind

Virginia has the 9th highest income out of all states and the District of Columbia. Median household income in Virginia was $68,100 in 2016, well above the national median $57,600, however many Virginians are struggling.