Medicaid Expansion in Virginia
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
A brief history of Medicaid expansion efforts in Virginia 2012 -2017
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.
Economic Impact of the Medicaid Expansion on Virginia's Economy
This study, which was published in 2012, looks at the impact of Medicaid expansion in Virginia. The study states, "The economic impact from expanding Medicaid is nearly four times larger with the opting in scenario when compared to opting out of the federal expansion, at least in the 2014-2019 timeframe. The uncertainties increase after 2019, and that period was not part of the scope of this study. This analysis looks at a five-year window that is specified in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). In either the opting in or opting out scenario, the state can expect increased spending on Medicaid."
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’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.
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 and the discussion on states that have not expanded Medicaid.
League of Women Voter’s Forum on Medicaid Expansion Video
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.
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.
