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Ralph Northam on Health Care
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When people are healthy, they contribute to our economy
Let's turn to health care. I ask you to pass the healthcare equity budget I sent you last month. When people are healthy, they can work and contribute to our economy. That's good for everyone. I also ask you to take three more actions to make health
care easier and more affordable. First, I am sending you legislation to create a state-run marketplace. Second, I ask you to create a "reinsurance program." Then, it's time to end the laws that restrict a woman's right to direct her own health care.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
, Jan 8, 2020
No family should be one illness away from financial demise
Q: You have been a vocal proponent of expanding Medicaid. Virginia Republicans continue to reject expansion. A: That's something that I have worked on since we were eligible to expand Medicaid.
No family should be one medical illness away from financial demise. That's what we are doing to Virginians right now by not expanding Medicaid. There are close to 400,000 WORKING Virginians who don't have access to health care.
They end up receiving their care in the emergency room. It is not the place for preventative care. It's very expensive. Every day that Virginia doesn't expand Medicaid, we're not only leaving it on the table,
but we're giving to other states we compete with over $5 million a day. Since January 2014, we've given up [billions] to surrounding states. That's money that we'll never get back.
Source: The American Prospect on 2017 Virginia gubernatorial race
, May 3, 2017
Proud voice in favor of Medicaid expansion
In addition to his responsibilities as the tie breaking vote in the Senate, Lt. Governor Northam has been a proud voice in favor of Medicaid expansion because he believes that
Republicans have placed themselves on the wrong side of history by putting partisan politics before the health of up to 400,000 hard-working Virginians--15,000 of whom are veterans--and an estimated 30,000 new jobs.
Source: 2016-17 Virginia gubernatorial campaign website
, Nov 1, 2015
Expand access to Medicaid for 400,000 of our citizens
Democrat Ralph Northam will run for Virginia governor. "We need to continue investing in early childhood education," Northam wrote, "creating jobs in the new Virginia economy, protecting women's reproductive rights
and expanding access to Medicaid for 400,000 of our citizens."
Medicaid expansion has been a legislative priority for state Democrats since Terry McAuliffe's election as governor in 2013. But with a two-to-one majority in the House of Delegates, and a two-seat advantage in the
Senate that was reconfirmed in this month's legislative elections, Republicans have been able to prevent the issue from advancing.
Source: AMI Newswire on 2017 Virginia governor's race
, Oct 20, 2015
Medicaid expansion will save taxpayers billions
I am a practicing physician and I know firsthand just how important access to quality health care is for Virginia families. Our health care system was broken, and we have made strides in the right direction toward improving access to high quality,
affordable health care for all Americans.Our work is not yet done. Last year, I sponsored legislation that would have had Virginia take a proactive approach to setting up health care exchanges, and I remain committed to lowering insurance costs and
expanding coverage to uninsured Virginians. In the Senate I worked to create a pathway to Medicaid expansion because it will save taxpayers billions of dollars and create over 30,000 new health care related jobs in Virginia. We must make the right and
prudent decision to expand Medicaid coverage, rather than walking away from federal money that could help make sick people well. Expanding Medicaid means that over 32,000 military and their families will gain health care coverage.
Source: 2016-17 VA gubernatorial campaign website NorthamForLG.com
, Nov 1, 2013
Page last updated: Jun 30, 2020
