AARP CONGRATULATES THE VIRGINIA SENATE FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID

MEDICAID EXPANSION WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE TO 62,000 VIRGINIANS AGE 50-64

 RICHMOND _ Nearly 400,000 Virginians, including 62,000 hardworking people age 50-64, will have health coverage beginning in 2014 thanks to an historic vote today by the Virginia Senate.

“Much kudos for those who took a stand for the Virginians who work hard to support their families but can’t afford health coverage,” said AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio.

Today’s historic Senate vote was in favor of a budget amendment that will increase the Medicaid income guidelines to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $26,000 a year for a family of three.  Currently a family of three has to earn less than $6,000 for the adults to qualify for Medicaid, the state health care program for low-income people.  Adults without dependent children currently are not eligible for coverage, but the expansion means they will qualify beginning January 1, 2014.

The House and Senate versions of the state budget are different, which means a conference committee made up of both House and Senate members will work out the differences.

“AARP Virginia is pleased with the bipartisan support by state Senators who recognize the value of providing health care to our state’s poorest workers,” Kallio said.

To learn more about AARP Virginia, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aarpva.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.  We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; and our website, AARP.org.  AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.  We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.