At RVDW’s May 23rd meeting, guest speaker Donna Littlepage offered her observations of the US House of Representatives’ comprehensive FY2026 federal budget bill. The bill passed on May 22, barely 24 hours before the meeting, in an overnight session with only 215 Republicans voting for it. All 214 House Democrats voting against it.
Littlepage, who recently retired from a long career in healthcare finance, brought the gravity of the impending impact on SWVA into stark focus.
5 TAKEAWAYS
The bill as written could easily prompt the termination of Medicaid Expansion in Virginia impacting 630,000 Virginians by losing their health insurance coverage.
Locally (HOD Districts 38, 39, 40 & 41), 21.8% of the population utilize Medicaid. Of those, over 24,000 via Medicaid Expansion.
Virginia is projected to likely dis-enroll 32% of the current Medicaid recipients if this bill is enacted as written.
This bill adds work requirements for Medicaid recipients between 19 and 64 who do not have a child under 7 years of age.
This bill adds more bureaucratic steps to gaining and retaining Medicaid coverage likely preventing some eligible recipients from receiving coverage.
BONUS ITEM: End result is likely delayed healthcare leading to poorer health outcomes and the closure of some rural hospitals in Virginia.
The bill moves on to the Senate where it is certain to change. Littlepage recommends following the process closely. The following sources for her presentation could prove helpful as resources in that effort.
RESOURCES
