The number one state for business should lead by example when it comes to ensuring the health of its citizens and workforce.

75 percent of Americans support expanding health insurance coverage 
to cover all Americans.
The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (June, 2009)

100,000 uninsured children are eligible for Medicaid or FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security program), but not enrolled.

An additional 67,000 uninsured children have family incomes higher than current eligibility limits.

There are some simple things we can do:

• Increase outreach and enrollment efforts to currently eligible children.
• Enact enrollment simplifications.
• Increase FAMIS eligibility to 300 FPL, and secure additional federal funds.
• Allow families with incomes above the eligibility limits to buy FAMIS coverage.
• Implement CHIPRA options to cover legal immigrant children and pregnant women during their 
first five years of coverage.

Did you know that it only costs Virginia $684 - $977 per year 
to cover a child through 
the FAMIS programs?

We should ensure adequate payment to Medicaid Providers.  Currently:

For Hospitals: Medicaid pays $.72 on the dollar.
For Physicians: Survey shows 50% shortfall in Medicaid & FAMIS payment rates.
Nursing Homes: Lose $12.45 per day, per Medicaid patient.

And currently working parents in Virignia are really struggling:

As many as 65,000 working Virginia parents have incomes below the federal poverty line.
(Governor’s Health Reform Commission, September 2007)

Working parents generally are only eligible for coverage if their incomes are less than 30 percent of the FPL  which is less than $6,000 per year for a family of 3.

Other than the occasional cost of living adjust-ments, Virginia’s Medicaid eligibility standard for parents has not been changed for 20 years.