HomeMy Public PortalAbout2014_04_08_R041 Urging the VA General Assembly to Increase Access for the Uninsured in the Budget The Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
PRESENTED April 8, 2014
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-041 ADOPTED April 8, 2014
A RESOLUTION: URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR
UNINSURED IN THE BUDGET AND RETURN VIRGINIA TAXPAYER
DOLLARS TO VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, a healthy workforce and community are critical to the economic vitality of the
Leesburg community; and
WHEREAS, over one million Virginians under the age of 64 are uninsured, many of whom
are in families with at least one full- or part-time worker who aren't provided health insurance
coverage through their employers, cannot afford coverage on their own or do not make enough to
qualify for insurance offered through the health care exchanges; and
WHEREAS, these uninsured Virginians still receive care, which is subsidized by employed
Virginians through higher insurance premiums,providers charging more to the insured for their
own care and underwriting of uninsured care by providers; and
WHEREAS,this cost-shifting will continue to rise faster than inflation if the
Commonwealth does not address ensuring more Virginians have access to affordable health care
coverage; and
WHEREAS, through 2022, Virginians will send $29.7 billion to Washington, D.C.,through
mandatory federal Affordable Care Act-related taxes, fees and provider payment cuts to pay for
uninsured in other states; and
WHEREAS, by accepting these funds in Virginia's budget and increasing access to health
insurance coverage for the uninsured, federal funds will cover many services paid for by localities,
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A RESOLUTION: URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR
UNINSURED IN THE BUDGET AND RETURN VIRGINIA TAXPAYER
DOLLARS TO VIRGINIA
including,but not limited to, funding for mental health services and substance abuse programs, as
well as immunizations and vaccinations,that benefit many of those who are without health
insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, by including these provisions in the budget, the said savings from recouped
federal funds would be used to reduce some of the burdens on localities with regards to education,
public safety, and mental health coverage; and
WHEREAS,the Commonwealth has a further responsibility to recoup these federal funds to
help its own citizens, and the citizens of Leesburg, by developing a financially sound plan that will
ensure Virginia's health care delivery system will have the resources needed to provide quality
services to their community; and
WHEREAS,the Commonwealth has a further responsibility to the 250,000 uninsured
Virginians, especially citizens of Leesburg, currently caught by the Affordable Care Act in the gap
between Medicaid and federal subsidies for health insurance exchanges,to ensure their ability to
obtain health insurance and to ensure those currently receiving Medicaid benefits will continue to
receive those benefits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the Town of Leesburg,
Virginia that it hereby supports and urges the Virginia General Assembly to develop and pass in the
Commonwealth of Virginia a budget that includes a plan to provide more Virginians with access to
affordable health care coverage and services and to take advantage now of reclaiming federal funds
paid by Virginians through the Affordable Care Act for this implementation,protect the health of
our citizens, save jobs,boost the economy and help manage the cost of care for all.
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A RESOLUTION: URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR
UNINSURED IN THE BUDGET AND RETURN VIRGINIA TAXPAYER
DOLLARS TO VIRGINIA
PASSED this 8th day of April, 2014.
\ n C. Umstattd,Mayor
Town of Leesburg
ATTEST:
Clerk of • c
P:\Resolutions\2014\0408 Urging the VA General Assembly to Increase Access for the Uninsured.doc