ICYMI: TCI Hosts Roundtable on Medicaid with Rep. Bobby Scott

Virginia Beach, VA – Last week, The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) hosted a roundtable with Representative Bobby Scott to discuss their latest report regarding the impact of Medicaid on Virginians. Over two million Virginia residents rely on this essential program to access healthcare.

Hampton Roads has one of the largest concentrations of veterans of any metropolitan area in the country, counting over 200,000 as residents. According to TCI’s report, in Virginia, nearly one in 13 veterans receives Medicaid; that number increases to one in 10 for children of active-duty military families. 

"Eastern Shore Rural Health System provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to over 70% of the 45,000 residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia,” said Dr. Joan Lingen, Chief Medical Officer for Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems. “30% of our total patient population, 74% of our pediatric dental patients, and 10% of our veteran population rely on Medicaid coverage. The significant proposed cuts to the Medicaid program will greatly impact our rural community, likely resulting in patients delaying or avoiding care and resulting in unnecessary, uncompensated ER utilization and hospital admissions."

“We’ve heard stories from across Hampton Roads about staffing cuts at the VA and Social Security, and we know Medicaid is next on the chopping block,” said Emily Yeatts, Affordable Virginia Campaigns Director. “Many folks already struggle to access care where they are, many urban and rural communities are healthcare deserts. Cuts to Medicaid put the clinics that are left at risk of closing, cutting off care to those on Medicaid and those with private insurance if providers can’t afford to stay open.”