|
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia House Republicans have remained silent as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote to dismantle the ACA this afternoon, a move that would jeopardize the health care of half a million Virginians.
Today’s vote comes after every Republican in the House of Delegates this year voted to deny 400,000 Virginians health care by blocking Medicaid expansion.
They’ve had plenty of opportunities to speak out:
In January, House Democrats called on Republicans to sign a letter asking Virginia’s Congressional delegation to oppose repeal without a viable replacement. Not a single Republican in the House of Delegates signed on.
Delegate John O’Bannon in March called the House Trumpcare bill a “good start,” but refused to respond when questioned on his position in July.
In response to an email from a constituent asking his position on Trumpcare, Delegate Jim LeMunyon wrote “I don’t intend to spend much time on their details” because he did not think there was more than a “50-50 chance” that Trumpcare would pass.
In a May Facebook exchange with a constituent, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter dubbed the ACA a “complete liberal failure” but stopped short of taking a position on Trumpcare.
“The failure of House Republicans to state their position on a bill that could result in more than half a million Virginians losing their health insurance is distressing,” said House Democratic Caucus spokeswoman Katie Baker. “However, given that these are the same people who voted to deny 400,000 Virginians coverage through Medicaid expansion, we are not surprised that they would fail to stand up to Donald Trump. Virginians deserve more than silence when the health care of so many people is at stake. We ask Virginia House Republicans directly: do you support repeal today or not?”
|
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
