The Virginia legislature passed a state budget that did not expand Medicaid under Obamacare Thursday night, just days after the resignation of a Democratic lawmaker that cleared the way for its passage.
The Washington Post reported that the budget did not include Medicaid expansion — and would make it more difficult for the program to be expanded through other means. It would prevent Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe or an independent panel from expanding Medicaid unilaterally under the health reform law.
Medicaid expansion would cover up to 400,000 low-income Virginians.
Republicans now control both chambers of the Virginia legislature after Democratic state Sen. Phillip Puckett resigned this week. Reports had suggested that he stepped down in exchange for a seat on the state tobacco commission and a judgeship for his daughter.
Puckett withdrew his name for consideration for the commission’s job after criticism of the alleged deal, but still resigned — giving Republicans the votes they needed in the Senate to pass a budget without Medicaid expansion. The Senate and House had previously been at a standoff over that key piece of Obamacare, with the former pushing an alternative expansion plan and the latter refusing to consider it.
The budget will now head to McAuliffe’s desk, with a government shutdown looming on July 1 if a new spending plan has not been fully approved.
“When this budget reaches my desk I will evaluate it carefully and take the actions that I deem necessary, but this fight is far from over,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “This is the right thing to do for Virginia, and I will not rest until we get it done.”
The GOPigs continue the legacy of Dubya’__whose words forever spoke for and perfectly encapsulated the modern Republican Party:
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”
Aug. 6, 2004…George W. Bush
They get the people they voted for. Democrats need both a better ground game and do a better job of defining the issues and how they impact the State.
But why?
Can anyone offer an explanation that makes sense?
Seems as if they will lose their majority over this, so many of their own age demographic will be the ones who suffer, so who or what are they really protecting when they deny Medicaid expansion? Who benefits.
We know who suffers, but really, who benefits?
IS it just stubborn ideology, or is there a real beneficiary that we can identify?
Well, the end justifies any means when you’re the ethics-free GOP.
The people voted for a split senate. The people who voted for Phil Puckett have no representation at all on this issue right now. I guess you get the Senate that corrupt Republican bureaucrats want for you.