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Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration; U.S., Canada political tension could affect Maine summer tourism; Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform; MI study: HBCU students show better mental health, despite challenges.

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Trump administration faces legal battles on birthright citizenship; the arrest of a Palestinian activist sparks protests over free speech. Conservationists voice concerns about federal job cuts impacting public lands, and Ohio invests in child wellness initiatives.

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Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

Over half-million Virginians risk Medicaid coverage loss under proposed cuts

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Friday, February 21, 2025   

As Congress threatens deep cuts to the Medicaid program, a new report from the health policy research organization KFF showed how some of the proposed changes could end coverage for about 20 million people nationwide, with more than 600,000 in Virginia.

One idea targets the Medicaid expansion federal match rate. The federal government currently pays 90% of the costs for people covered under what's known as the Medicaid expansion, which extended coverage to nearly all low-income adults.

Liz Williams, senior policy analyst with KFF, explained if the federal match rate drops, Virginia would have two options: Come up with money to keep the Medicaid expansion or end it altogether.

"The state is required to automatically end expansion coverage if the match rate drops," Williams explained. "In those 'trigger law' states -- there's 12 of them -- enrollees are at greater risk of losing coverage."

Virginia is among those "trigger law" states. At the moment, 45% of Medicaid enrollees in the Commonwealth have health care coverage because of the Medicaid expansion and would be at risk of losing it should these changes go through.

The Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act was enacted to reduce the number of uninsured people nationwide. It provided states with an increased federal match rate to help pay for their health care costs. Williams emphasized if federal support drops and states cannot afford to pick up the added cost, the number of uninsured people will dramatically increase and any gains in financial security and health outcomes associated with the expansion would be reversed.

"Medicaid is jointly funded by states and the federal government," Williams noted. "Any restrictions in federal Medicaid spending really leaves states with tough choices about how to offset reductions."

She added states have a few options, including increasing state taxes, decreasing spending on non-Medicaid services like education or decreasing health coverage for other groups.


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