Del. Albo: We need your support for expanding Medicaid in Virginia. As you probably know, there is strong support for this expansion in your district. As each of us will soon be reminded when we file our taxes, Virginians are paying for a host of federal programs, including this Medicaid expansion. We are paying for this program already and then not accepting the money from the federal government that is ours! Worse than that, whether we expand the program or not, we ARE paying for the care of the uninsured. We pay thousands of dollars to treat infections in the emergency room that could have been cleared up with $2 antibiotics. There is chicken pox going through my local schools and mumps are taking hold in the Midwest because vaccine rates are down. Uninsured Virginians are diverting money from other important budget priorities, and we can cover them for free for three years and at only 10% cost indefinitely thereafter. That is not to mention the economic and social benefits of having 191,000 poor and disabled Virginians more healthy and with more money to spend locally. I have written you previously, and you stated then that you were not opposed to expanding Medicaid under three conditions: a guarantee that the federal government pays its 90%, that Medicaid cost us no more than it does now, and that Virginia be allowed to investigate and prosecute fraud. The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act, a federal law for years now, states that the federal government will pay 90% of the cost of expansion indefinitely after 3 years: only an act of Congress can change it. The Medicaid expansion will save us at least that 10% in reducing uncompensated care and cost-shifting. Of course, you know there will never be support for having states investigate federal crimes and enforce federal laws. You'll have to suck that up and do what is right for Virginia anyway. We could use your leadership and your independence here.

The people of the state of Alabama elected you to do the will of the people. The people of Alabama deserve affordable health care. The fact that there is a monopoly in the state by BC/BS leaves a lot to be desired. Stand up and do the right thing.

Its time for staff and MHAs to take charge. I have stood by and watched patients and staff be abused by administration's corrupt policies and procedures too long. Medicare and Insurance company's are being defrauded. The children do not know thier doctors and they rarely see the few therapists S.M.T.C. The patients assault peers and staff with little to no consequences. Staff are overworked, underpaid and not given respect by all administrators and managers. Even with the great deal of effort maintainance and housekeeping put forth, the facility is in poor condition and falling apart . Most of the buildings have mold and generally reek of a bodily function. It is time for something to change! Please sign and share! These children deserve a fair chance at a decent future. All therapy should not just be documented, but also monitored to ensure that it is being done. Patients mattresses have holes and some have become saturated with urine. These should all be replaced. Patients need more structured theraputic activities and supplies to complete such activities! Several activities scheduled every week are either unrealistic or there is a lack of supplies. Rules and regulations should be consistent across units! Corporate and licensing should not announce inspection visits in advance! Training should be thorough and focused on content and not just providing answers! The people (MHAs) that spend the most time working with the children are paid wages that are the same or less than fast food and convienence store workers.

Other Republican-led states have done it. Virginia voters strongly support it. And the state Senate just passed it. But right now, some Republicans in the House of Delegates are standing in the way. If they continue to block Medicaid expansion, they'll be catering to an extreme slice of their own base rather than helping get health care to the state's neediest residents.

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell is standing in the way of getting affordable health care to nearly 200,000 of the state’s poor and disabled residents—despite the support of Virginia voters. As speaker of the House, Howell plays a key leadership role that impacts the health and welfare of the entire state. From his district in Fredericksburg to Roanoke to Virginia Beach, families know the suffering caused by lack of affordable health care—and are waiting for the House of Delegates, under Speaker Howell’s leadership, to do the right thing and move immediately to expand Medicaid eligibility. Accepting federally funded Medicaid expansion would save lives, save financially-at-risk rural hospitals, improve public health, create jobs, and boost the state economy. Expansion would get affordable medical care to Virginians in the “coverage gap” — those who aren’t currently eligible for the state’s Medicaid program but don’t make enough to qualify for subsidies under Obamacare. Hundreds of thousands of Virginians are in “the gap,” and the majority are the working poor, people who work for low wages and still can’t afford health care. The cost of Medicaid expansion will be paid 100% by federal dollars (that’s money Virginia taxpayers have already sent to Washington) during the first three years. After that, federal support will taper to 90% of the cost by 2020. This is coverage Virginians have already paid for; without expansion, those dollars will go to other states. And polls show there’s bipartisan support for Medicaid expansion. Whether Republican or Democrat, Virginia voters support expanding access to life-saving health care for the state’s neediest residents. Speaker Howell: It’s time to listen to Virginians and stop blocking Medicaid expansion. Let’s get our families and neighbors the health care they need.

As a parent of a person in long time recovery, I know all too well the devastating effects addiction can have to the addict and their entire family. The United States, with about 5% of the world’s population is now consuming more than 84% of the world’s oxycodone supply, and more than 99% of the world’s hydrocodone supply. Please excercise your authority and responsibilty to advocate in best interest on protecting the health and well being of the public.

There's a critical special legislative session happening this week in Richmond that will determine whether nearly 200,000 Virginians gain access to health care—and MoveOn members can make or break the outcome. The question is whether Virginia will accept federal Medicaid funds, as Obamacare encourages. Other Republican-led states have done it. Virginia voters strongly support it. And the state Senate just passed it. But right now, some Republicans in the House of Delegates are standing in the way.

Went to a town hall meeting with Creigh Deeds, David Toscano,Ed Howell President and CEO UVA Hospital and Bill Hazel, Sect. of Health & Human Resources in VA. Listened to the audience voice their opinions. The bottom line, at no cost to VA taxpayers we can cover 200,000+ Virginians who fall thru the gap, keep rural hospitals from closing and improve the lives of those covered. It's a win-win for ALL Virginians.

My daughter would have to pay almost $400 for health care. She and her husband are both disabled and have less than $800 income. She is applying for disability. They pay $350 in rent. He has Medicare; she has no health care.

Medicaid is a true saving grace concerning medical bills and expenses for those who cannot afford to pay what is required due to their disabilities. I have seen the benefits reaped from Medicaid personally, and through my father and our drastically decreased income due to his disability. Signing this petition could truly make a difference for your fellow community members.

Thousands of Virginia residents are caught in the "coverage gap" after the Supreme Court decision made Medicaid expansion optional under the Affordable Care Act. Paradoxically, their income is too high to qualify under Virginia's current meager Medicaid eligibility rules, but too low to get subsidies under the ACA to help pay for private coverage. Because the federal government is paying 100% of the cost of expanding coverage for the next several years, and not less than 90% thereafter, it makes no sense to reject these funds and allow other states to benefit from Virginia's federal tax dollars. Please encourage your Delegate, Tag Greason, to support Medicaid expansion in the special General Assembly session starting March 24.

This petition is an attempt to make clear the consequences of refusing to allow Medicaid to be extended to 191,000 individuals in Virginia who have no health care coverage.