Dear friend,

Today the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy convened a press conference in the House Briefing Room for faith leaders to publicly release a letter from almost 300 diverse clergy from around the Commonwealth calling upon our legislators to close the healthcare coverage gap. The religious community has demonstrated its unified support for expanding health care coverage for the 400,000 Virginians who fall in the gap between Medicaid and the Healthcare Exchanges.

We also learned today that the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee (the committees that deal with the budget) stripped the funds in the Governor’s budget intended to expand healthcare and thus draw down the federal dollars set aside for this critical coverage. Nonetheless, the time in not up. The General Assembly is still in session. We are people of faith – we must not be resigned to this negative outcome, nor can we stop advocating justice. Not only is it morally right for a society to provide healthcare for poor and working families who are currently excluded, but it makes financial sense for all taxpayers. This expansion will be paid for by federal funding that we are missing out on by not creating a plan for providing health coverage for needy people.

About an hour before our press conference, the Virginia House leadership renewed their opposition to Medicaid expansion, calling it a failed program even though it helps a million Virginians and could reach 400,000 more, and said that instead the budget would add money to free health clinics for the poor. Although no dollar amount was given, a modest expansions of health clinics is a woefully inadequate response to the healthcare crisis in Virginia.

Although many of the legislators appear intransigent, as people of faith we will continue to advocate, importune and pray. The legislature is still in session for another few weeks and could recognize the error of its ways. Legislators know the statistics that for everyone who acts, there are many, many more that share your views but remain silent. Surprisingly, five to ten calls really get attention -- twenty-five will overwhelm them. Keep them on their toes by calling or emailing.

In addition, we want to encourage Gov. Terry McAuliffe to continue pressing for health care coverage expansion.

We are asking you to:

• Respond at RIGHT to send letters to your Representative and Senator urging them to insist that money be put into the budget (all of which will be reimbursed by the federal government) for closing the coverage gap.

You can use as a resource the press release below . Feel free to use this release in your own e-alerts or congregational newsletters or bulletins.

News Release for today's Press Conference

This is my fifth official day at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. It is such a blessing to be working with you.

We want to do more work like we’ve done on this important issue, but will need your support as we move forward. Please let me know how you want to get involved. Please pray for me and the Center. And if you are able, consider making a financial contribution to support the work.  Give to the Center

With many blessings,

Kim Bobo

Executive Director