1st District Resolution opposing Medicaid expansion in Virginia

Resolution Recommending Opposition to Medicaid Expansion in Virginia

Whereas, the creed adopted and embraced by the Republican Party of Virginia acknowledges “that the free enterprise system is the most productive supplier of human needs and economic justice,” and

Whereas, this creed further states “That fiscal responsibility and budgetary restraints must be exercised at all levels of government;” and

Whereas, Virginia’s liberal Democratic Governor Ralph Northam made Medicaid expansion a cornerstone of his campaign, without regard to the long-term fiscal soundness of this program or its budgetary impact; and

Whereas, Medicaid expansion dilutes the program’s intended focus on providing care for the elderly, the disabled, low-income pregnant women, and low-income children, and

Whereas, the budget submitted by Governor Northam called for expansion of Medicaid at a projected annual expense of about $2,000,000,000; and

Whereas, such expansion has increased costs more than expected in other states and, according to a government alert, has led to increases in waste, fraud, and abuse; and

Whereas, the federal promise of 90% matching funds to offset state expenses for Medicaid expansion under the so-called Affordable Care Act is not currently funded by Congress and is unreliable over the long-term;

Whereas, research from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University shows that the costs of Medicaid expansion have been significantly higher than estimated in the Congressional Budget Office’s original forecasts; and

Whereas, the state House passed a budget including Medicaid expansion and the state Senate did not, the chambers adjourning without agreeing on a final budget; and

Whereas, Governor Northam called a special session of the General Assembly to pressure lawmakers to pass a budget including Medicaid expansion; now therefore be it,

Resolved, that we the members of the 1st Congressional District Republican Committee reaffirm the Creed of the Republican Party of Virginia and call upon all elected Republicans in the General Assembly to send the Governor a budget that does not include funding for Medicaid expansion.

Ratified this 12th day of May, 2018 by the 1st Congressional District Republican Committee

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Robert A. Watson, Chairman 1st Congressional District Republican Committee