We need help for Medicaid Expansion in VA

Virginia is one of the few states in the United States that has chosen against expanding medicaid. They have chosen to do this again and again despite the overwhelming detriment it causes Virginians, you know those average Joes the legislators are supposed to legislate for? So why don’t they want to do it? Honestly your guess is as good as mine, especially since the Federal Government is willing to cover it and it would cover over 250,000 low-income Virginians. But don’t just listen to me rant on expansion when it has been more excellently said herehere, or here, and here.

Folks it is time to get serious about this, even if you aren’t motivated for social reasons, let me provide an economic one. For every patient that has an ER visit without insurance, the community–that’s right YOUR tax dollars pay for their visit, about $8,000. If we keep everyone healthy so there are no ER visits it is significantly cheaper to the community and is also shared among a greater population (the entire state instead of city/county).

Please contact your local representative and tell them that this is a must-top-priority-you-won’t-get-elected-again-unless-you-do-this. Community health is everyone’s problem and everyone’s responsibility. It is the advantage we sought back when we left individual/nomadic assistance to settle in villages, that everyone helps each other, seriously read Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities. Help us help everyone, now.

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