RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement on the 60th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law — and reaffirmed her commitment to protecting Virginians’ healthcare after Republicans in Washington voted to take away coverage from more than 322,000 Virginians.
“Sixty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law — expanding affordable healthcare to millions of Americans in Virginia and across our country. This landmark law represented a solemn promise: that no senior would be left behind in old age, no child would go without care, and no family would have to endure illness alone.
“Today, that promise is under attack. Washington Republicans’ misguided law threatens to undo much of the progress we’ve made — taking away healthcare from hundreds of thousands of Virginians who receive coverage through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, threatening the survival of our rural hospitals, and driving up healthcare premiums for working families. And instead of doing what’s right, my opponent is fully backing this reckless attack on Virginia families — all to earn the praise of President Trump. Not only is that wrong, it’s a dereliction of duty.
“Virginians deserve a Governor who will always put Virginia families first. As Governor, I won’t be afraid to stand up to the White House or extreme politicians in Congress to defend Virginians’ access to quality, affordable coverage. And come January, my administration will take decisive action to lower healthcare costs — not cheer on these attacks on our Commonwealth’s healthcare system.”
BACKGROUND
The effects of Republicans’ actions at the federal level will be dire for Virginia. The law President Trump signed threatens healthcare access for the more than 322,000 Virginians receiving coverage through Medicaid and on the Marketplace.
According to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, the law also cuts approximately $26 billion in funding for Virginia hospitals. Across the Commonwealth, six rural hospitals — including one in Hampton Roads, one on the Northern Neck, and four in Southwest and Southside Virginia — are at risk of closing because of this law.
