Hanover Democratic Committee of Virginia

The proposed budget includes additional funding to support Virginia’s health and dental care safety net providers to stabilize their operations, expand access to health and dental care services, and coordinate services for uninsured Virginians. The community-based providers who will receive funding consist of free clinics, health centers, local health departments, and other local or regional organizations providing care to the uninsured.  Many of the proposals support recommendations of the Health Reform Commission and those contained in this year’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s report, “Options to Extend Health Insurance Coverage to Virginia’s Uninsured Population.”

“Over one million Virginians are uninsured, and for many, Virginia’s health safety net is the only place to turn,” said Debbie Oswalt, Executive Director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation.  “We are grateful that the Governor recognizes the importance of the safety net and the strain it is under, and are thrilled with this investment of state funds.”

The Governor is also seeking to expand preventive care for uninsured women.  The proposed budget includes funding to provide free screenings and diagnostic tests for breast and cervical cancer for over 1,000 uninsured women ages 18 through 44.  In addition, he proposes to expand state-supported prenatal care for low-income women, from 185 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.  This expansion will offer coverage to an additional 400 women per year.

“Despite its status as one of the wealthiest states, Virginia has a high infant mortality rate,” Governor Kaine said.  “By providing more women with access to prenatal care services earlier on in their pregnancy, I am hopeful that we can begin to decrease the number of infant deaths in the Commonwealth.”

The Governor’s budget also addresses an innovative recommendation from the Health Reform Commission to provide an affordable health insurance option to low-income workers.  Approximately 75% of the Commonwealth’s one million uninsured work or live in households where someone works full time, many of them for small businesses that can’t afford to provide health insurance.

The Governor’s “VirginiaShare” Health Insurance Program will expand access to health insurance coverage for low-income families earning 200% of the federal poverty level or less, who work for small businesses.  The program will model private insurance coverage, with the state covering 1/3 of the premium costs for participating individuals, up to $75 per month.  The employer and the employee will each cover 1/3 of the remaining cost. Initially, over 5,000 Virginians are expected to gain health insurance through the program.

“This is health care innovation at its best,” said Tom Snead, member of the Health Reform Commission.  “The Commission was charged with being bold and developing innovative solutions for access to quality health care, and we could not be more pleased to see the Governor acting on our recommendations.  We hope this is the beginning of covering the uninsured in the Commonwealth.”

The Governor’s Budget includes:

• Additional funding for community-based health safety net providers to stabilize their operations, expand access to health care services, and coordinate services for uninsured Virginians.  The increase of $5 million each year will go to Virginia Community Healthcare Association, Virginia Association of Free Clinics, and the Virginia Health Care Foundation.
• Support for the Virginia Dental Health Foundation’s Mission of Mercy Dental Project.  The Virginia Dental Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization within the Virginia Dental Association.  Funding of $50,000 each year will be used to purchase dental equipment and supplies to provide dental services for Virginia’s uninsured. 
• Funding to expand eligibility for prenatal coverage of women from 185 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.  This expansion will cover about 400 additional women per year. $2.6 million in general funds and $4.8 million in nongeneral funds over the biennium. 
• Support for Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (VABCCEDP), also known as Every Woman's Life, which provides free screenings and diagnostic tests for breast and cervical cancer for uninsured women.  Program funding will increase by $300,000 in FY 2010 and will provide screenings and tests to over 1,000 uninsured women ages 18 through 44.
• Funding for the VirginiaShare Health Insurance program, which will offer health insurance coverage for the uninsured who work in small businesses.  The state will provide a premium subsidy of up to one-third, not to exceed $75, of the monthly costs, with the employer and the employee each covering 1/3 of the remaining cost.  Individuals with incomes less than or equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty level would be eligible.  Initially, over 5,000 Virginians are expected to gain health insurance through the program. $7.7 million over the biennium, including two positions.