State Government Profile
Governor: Bob McDonnell (R)
Lt. Governor: Bill Bolling (R)
Attorney General: Ken Cuccinelli (R)
Legislature: Senate (Democratic control 22-18), House (Republican control 59-39)
Legislative Leaders: Senate President/Lt. Governor Bill Bolling (R); Senate President Pro Tem Charles Colgan (D); Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw (D); Speaker of the House William Howell (R)
2012 Legislative Session: Jan.11 – March 10
Key Health Officials: Insurance Commissioner Jacqueline Cunningham; Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. William “Bill” Hazel; Director, Department of Medical Assistance Services (Medicaid Director) Gregg Pane
State Links
- Bureau of Insurance
- Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
- Secretary of Health and Human Resources
- Department of Health
- Governor’s Office
- State Legislature
Demographic Highlights
State Population: 8,001,024 (2010 US Census data)
Medicaid Enrollment: 883,916 (July 2010, CMS)
Percent Enrolled in Managed Care: 59.24% (July 2010, CMS)
Uninsured Rate: 12.9% (three-year average, 2008-10, US Census Bureau)
Health Reform Projections:
372,470 – 504,466 (total new Medicaid enrollees, low and high participation scenarios, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured)
1.8 – 3.1% (change in state Medicaid spending, low and high participation scenarios, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured)
Budget Overview
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011 Budget Appropriations: $15.377 billion (state general funds)
SFY2012 Projected Budget Shortfall: $2.3 billion (state general funds)
SFY2008 Medicaid Expenditures: $2.756 billion (state general funds)
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Rates:
53.20% (January – March 2011)
51.20% (April – June 2011)
50.00% (July – September 2011)
50.00% (October 2011 – September 2012)
Health Reform Implementation Activities and Developments
Health Reform Implementation Structure:
On May 14, 2010 the Virginia Health Reform Initiative (VHRI) was established by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel. The VHRI, headed by Cynthia Jones, manages activities related to the ACA and serves as the liaison between the Governor’s office, agencies and entities affected by health care reform, leads development of the Health Insurance Exchange. It also is working to identify and coordinate grants to fund health care reform.
Governor McDonnell also established a VHRI Advisory Council to engage stakeholders and 6 issue specific taskforces to develop recommendations regarding the ACA and improving the Virginia health system beyond the implications of federal health reform.
On December 21, 2010 the VHRI Advisory Council submitted a final report of its findings and recommendations to Governor McDonnell (full report).
Exchange: The state applied for and was awarded an Exchange Planning and Establishment Grant.
Amount Awarded: $1,000,000
Administrator: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Initial Planning Activities:
- Provide options on the planning, research, development, and implementation issues on how an Exchange’s governance, financial operations and oversight, and technical infrastructure.
High Risk Pool: Federal-Run. Virginia declined to participate in the high risk pool program.
Additional Grants and Funding:
- The state applied for and was awarded a $1 million rate review grant.
- The state received a consumer assistance program grant
Other State Actions, Indicators, and Health Reform Resources:
Anti-Reform Actions and Developments:
- Statement of Governor McDonnell on passage of ACA.
- On March 24, 2010 Governor McDonnell signed the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act, declaring that no Virginian can be required to purchase health insurance coverage.
- Attorney General Cuccinelli filed a lawsuit, independent of the multi-state lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of the ACA.
- A federal judge ruled in favor of the Commonwealth Virginia in its lawsuit challenging the ACA on December 13, 2010 (full ruling).
