Remarks by House Majority Leader Kirk Cox on Medicaid Expansion

Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) delivered remarks on Medicaid expansion on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates Monday. The full text of the remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As you all know, the House and Senate budget proposals were released yesterday. I often say that the budget is the most important thing we do in Richmond.

So I want to thank Chairman Jones, the members of the House Appropriations Committee, especially the subcommittee chairs, and the appropriations staff for doing a really great job in writing the House budget.

The House budget proposal is a really solid proposal that invests in the core functions of government, sets some pretty clear priorities and ensures the Commonwealth remains on a prudent fiscal course.

I want to highlight a few of the key points of the House proposal.

First – the House proposals provides a path to fully fund the state retirement plan almost three years ahead of schedule.

As you know, we had to make some pretty tough choices during the worst part of the economic downturn. But we committed ourselves to fully restoring our investment in VRS by 2019. This budget would do that by 2016.

Second – the House proposal includes over $200 million for the health care safety net. This includes over $118 million for our hospitals and teaching hospitals, over $111 million for our nursing homes and $6 million for our free clinics and community health care centers. It also provides for 750 ID and 65 DD waiver slots.

Caring for Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens is important. This budget does that.

Third – the House budget includes 210-million for higher education, including 20 million to help keep tuition costs down for Virginia families and $6 million for more in-state tuition slots.

As I said yesterday in my remarks to the Appropriations committee, the 20 million commitment we are making comes with one very clear expectation – tuition increases at Virginia colleges and universities should be held to the bare minimum. Ensuring access and keeping college affordable for Virginia families is absolutely critical to our Commonwealth’s long-term health.

Fourth – the House budget includes nearly 50 million in funding for mental health services. This includes 10 million in new funding for new beds at state hospitals, new PAC teams and new crisis drop-off centers.

Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the key highlights. On top of all this, there is over 500 million in new funding for K-12 education, a pay raise or bonus for all state employees, funding for sheriffs and police officers and much more.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, all of this is in jeopardy. All of this is in jeopardy because the Senate has decided to inject Washington-style politics into Virginia’s budget process.

Last year, members of both parties in both Houses agreed to a process that took Medicaid expansion out of the budget debate. We created the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission and tasked that group with reforming Virginia’s current Medicaid system before we moved forward with expansion.

That is what the budget conferees agreed to. That is what members in this House agreed to. And that is what the Senate agreed to.

We did that because we wanted to avoid holding up the entire budget over one issue.

We did that because we knew that funding for our schools, local governments, health care providers and law enforcement was too important.

We did that because we did not want to see Virginia consumed by Washington-style gridlock.

But despite this, the Senate has brought us right back to where we were one year ago. Democrats have decided to play a high-stakes game of chicken for the sake of expanding ObamaCare in Virginia. They have decided to hold hostage millions of dollars in funding for schools, teachers, police officers and hospitals in exchange for ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion.

I have a long list of reasons for opposing Medicaid expansion. I have a long list of reasons for opposing the Senate version of Medicaid expansion.

But regardless of where you stand on the issue of Medicaid expansion, threatening to derail the entire budget is not acceptable. And it is certainly not the Virginia way.

Mr. Speaker, I think you and most of the members of this House have been very clear about why we oppose Medicaid expansion.

One of the primary reasons, Mr. Speaker, is that we have witnessed the problems with the implementation of the President’s health care reform law. We think it would be irresponsible to further entangle Virginia in Washington’s health care mess.

The Affordable Care Act was bad law. It was rushed through the legislative process – passed on Christmas Eve in one chamber and the middle of the night in the other.

And over the last four years we have watched as the administration tried desperately to fix a flawed piece of legislation – either by rewriting it by executive fiat or ignoring parts of it altogether. We all saw the problems with the website. We have heard from members of this Chamber about the cancelled health plans.

What the Senate has proposed, Mr. Speaker, is an enormous undertaking not unlike that of ObamaCare. We have to establish a state health exchange, partner with insurance companies to provide policies, write regulations, find the uninsured, sign them up through a website, confirm their eligibility and then finally enroll them in health plans.

But by including this in their budget, rather than as a standalone piece of legislation, the Senate is basically trying to do in two weeks what the federal government couldn’t do in four years.

This entire proposal is based on three pages of language in the Senate budget. But we do not know what any of the details look like. •How much will this cost the State to develop? •What will be included in these private health care plans? •How much will these insurance plans cost? •Will the federal government approve the waiver required to implement this plan? None of these questions are answered. And I don’t think it’s realistic to expect any of them to be answered in the next two weeks.

Before I conclude, I want to go back to a point I touched on last week. Last week I shared the advice of my Arkansas counterpart, Majority Leader Bruce Westerman.

Arkansas passed last year a plan very similar to the one the Senate has proposed. But after originally supporting it, Majority Leader Westerman is now opposed. And he recently said this:

“Don’t allow yourself to be rushed, because there’s always a push that you have to do something now. I kept pushing to wait and gather more information, but the governor was pushing very hard to do something now, and I think there is some buyer’s remorse because of that.”

Mr. Speaker, Virginia cannot afford buyer’s remorse. We have to take our time and work through this issue in a responsible way.

Unfortunately, that’s going to be very difficult to do in the environment that is being created by the demands of those on the other side of the aisle.

Holding the budget hostage just for the sake of ObamaCare is not just irresponsible – it’s dangerous and unacceptable. And it’s definitely not the Virginia way.

Thank you.

House Passes Academic-Year Career & Technical Education Governor's School Bill

--Delegate Peace is committed to educational opportunities in Virginia’s Schools--

Central Virginia – Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) announces passage of House Bill 887. House Bill 887, is a measure to pursue modeling for a Governor's School for Career and Technical Education (CTE).  CTE training provides good paying jobs and strengthens workforce training opportunities in fields such as HVAC, culinary arts, plumbing, electrical, and finance. The bill passed the House today by a vote of 89-9.

While Virginia has some of the best schools and most devoted educators in the world, ranked 4th best overall for K-12 education by Education Week’s “Quality Counts” survey, maintaining these high standards requires Virginia to build on its success and continue to innovate and improve. Such programs like the CTE will produce a highly talented and educated workforce critical for maintaining, evaluating and enhancing Virginia's economic competitiveness.

There was a recent Commonwealth Education Poll conducted by the Wilder School/VCU which was focused on higher education and workforce.   The survey also asked respondents about what they think students need to have in order to succeed.   A majority of Virginians (59%) indicated that it is more important to have specific job knowledge and skills than a college degree from a well-respected university in order to succeed in today’s workplace.  Only 29% thought that a college degree was more important to success.   Eight percent of respondents offered that both are important.   It is interesting to note that the percentage of respondents that indicated job-specific knowledge and skills was 9% higher than a national survey conducted by the Gallup organization that asked the same question. 

Former State School Superintendent Dr. Bill Bosher stated in his recent Sunday education editorial, “Del Chris Peace has introduced a bill that calls for a Governor’s School in trade and technical education. It’s a great idea. While degrees from three wonderful Virginia institutions have been rewarding, it was a father and rural high school that taught basic skills…and the guidance of a master plumber that brought the water back.” 

When speaking about the bill, Delegate Peace said, “Our commitment to a strong future requires an educated workforce. An educated workforce is also key to a competitive workforce, so to that end, one of my goals is to foster an environment where students can get the best education possible which fits their individual career goals. CTE students are not second-class students.”

He continued, “While some students will attend Virginia's universities or community colleges, there are other students who would benefit from a workforce development or career readiness program that provides technical training for jobs in high paying manufacturing fields. I am encouraged by the interest of school board members from the City of Richmond and Hanover counties among other jurisdictions around the state in support of this bill."

Storm Preparation Information

Dominion Virginia Power is preparing for a significant winter storm that could produce heavy, wet snowfall across a large part of the company’s service area that could cause widespread and extended power outages. The storm is expected to affect much of Virginia from late Wednesday into Thursday evening. The most significant snow and ice accumulations are expected along and to the west of the Interstate 95 corridor. Heavy, wet snow can weigh down trees and limbs, causing them to break and fall onto power lines. The company is mobilizing resources to prepare for the storm, and restoration efforts will begin as soon as it is safe to do so.

It is very important for Dominion customers to be prepared for the storm and focus on personal safety.

If the power goes out, customers should contact Dominion using any mobile device at dom.com or through the company’s toll free number, 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357). 

All downed lines and any items in contact with them should be considered energized and dangerous. It is best to stay at least 30 feet away from dropped wires and report their location as soon as possible by calling the company (1-866-DOM-HELP or 1-866-366-4357).  During the calls, customers should follow prompts that will connect them with company representatives. This will help provide accurate, exact information to direct crews to these locations.

Dominion urges customers to have a plan in place in the event of outages.  This includes having battery-operated radios and clocks, multiple flashlights, and extra batteries on hand

Generators should also be operated according to safe procedures and should never be run inside homes, crawl spaces, or other enclosed areas, including garages.

Other good sources of information from the company during and after the storm include Dominion’s Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/DomVAPower, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower.

Peace Bill to Aid Victims of Crime Passes House

-- Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund Reform Bill Passes House--

CENTRAL VA – House Bill 885, patroned by Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 99-0.  The measure joins other legislative and budgetary efforts this session to provide aid and assistance to victims of violent crime.

HB 885 would make it the policy of the Commonwealth to allow the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund to extend the time for filing a claim, to innocent victims of crime, if the prosecutor submits written notice that the crime is being investigated as a result of newly discovered evidence.

Hanover County’s Commonwealth Attorney Trip Chalkley brought the proposal to Delegate Peace based on a cold hit rape case from 1984 which he subsequently successfully prosecuted. As a result of the new trial, the victim incurred costs associated with counseling services. Compensation for those services was denied based on case law and a gap in the statutes. Peace's legislation corrects this problem and will allow this victim and any future cold hit case victims to access justifiable restitution.

Speaking to the bill, “As technology catches up with our legal system, new scientific evidence may result in the successful prosecution of cold cases.  These injured victims should be afforded to opportunity to apply to the Fund for restitution for their injuries,” stated Peace.

Chalkley praised Delegate Peace on this bill, saying “I appreciate Delegate Peace’s leadership in sponsoring and ensuring the passage of this bill. It takes great steps in compensating victims in some way for the indignities and costs born by the attacks on them." He also said, “It is important that the legislature recognized that ‘cold case victims’ are as worthy of compensation as those previously covered under the statute.”

According to their website, the Criminal Injury Compensation Fund (CICF), was created in 1977 to pay unreimbursed expenses of victims who suffer personal physical or emotional injury or death as a result of a crime. The Fund receives no tax dollars from the citizens of Virginia.  CICF is funded by court fees, assessments on offenders, restitution, and a federal Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant to supplement monies available to victims of violent crime.  To learn more about CICF visit their website at: http://www.cicf.state.va.us/aboutus.shtml

House of Delegates Passes Medicaid Audit Legislation

The Virginia House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly Monday to pass legislation that would direct the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to conduct a comprehensive external operational study and financial audit of Virginia’s Medicaid Program. The legislation, HJ40, passed the House 70 to 29. House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission Steve Landes issued the following statement:  “There is clear consensus that Virginia’s Medicaid program needs significant reform. The Virginia General Assembly voted to create the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission to oversee the implementation of a series of reforms to help bend the cost curve and increase the quality of care in Medicaid, before any consideration was given to Medicaid expansion.   “This is the process both parties and both chambers agreed to last year. As Vice Chairman of the MIRC, I am proud to say that we have made some progress at reforming and improving Medicaid – but simply not enough. In order for MIRC to continue its work, a comprehensive external review of Medicaid is necessary.”   “I know that many will say Medicaid has been audited plenty, but I disagree. As the 2010 audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation showed, it never hurts to look one more time. Medicaid spending in Virginia has grown by 1600% over the last 30 years, and it continues to grow at an average rate of 8 percent per year. It now consumes over one-fifth of Virginia’s general fund spending, and threatens to crowd out other key services like K-12 education and public safety.   “As Virginia continues to debate the future of ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion, we must know exactly what challenges and obstacles we face. With rapidly-changing financial projections on the cost of expansion, significant evidence of waste and fraud and uncertainty about the fiscal future in Washington, a comprehensive external study and audit of Medicaid is the responsible and prudent next step in the process.”

Delegate Chris Peace Highlights Support for Education Reform

~ Innovative Education Reforms a Focus for Delegate Peace ~

Central Virginia - Delegate Christopher Peace (R-Hanover) introduced several bills in the 2014 General Assembly focused on providing innovative educational opportunities and increasing information available to students and parents.  “While Virginia has some of the best schools and most devoted educators in the world, maintaining these high standards requires Virginia to build on its success and continue to innovate and improve,” said Del. Peace.

Peace introduced House Bill (HB) 886, a bill to connect job and wage data to consumer students and parents in K-12 and higher education.  Data will also include rates of degree completion and performance of the institution relative to workforce needs.  In an effort Peace calls “Virginia’s Know Before You Go,” HB 886 will enable consumers of higher education, students and their families, to make informed decisions when choosing a post-secondary institution of higher learning.  “Know Before You Go,” would ensure that a wide range of comparative data about higher education programs is readily available for prospective students and their families who are paying high tuition and potentially carrying years of debt.  For these people, jobs and wages data is important information to have.

An educated workforce is also key to a competitive workforce, so one of Peace’s goals is to foster an environment where students can get the best education possible which fits their individual goals.  While some students will attend Virginia's world class universities or community colleges, there are other students who would benefit from a workforce development and career readiness program that provides technical training for jobs in high paying manufacturing fields.

To support and expand opportunities in these technical training programs, Peace proposed House Bill 887, a measure to consider implementation of a Governor's school for Career and Technical Education (CTE). CTE training provides good paying jobs and strengthens workforce vocational training opportunities. “Highly talented and educated workforce is the lynchpin for maintaining, evaluating and enhancing Virginia's economic competitiveness,” said Peace. "Further, I am excited about Hanover's School Board and Superintendent's interest in assessing whether Hanover can serve as a purpose in a future school."

Additionally, Del. Peace is co-patron of HB 930, this legislation would reform Virginia’s Standards of Learning assessments by reducing the number of tests and creating SOL “Revision Committees” to promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. Virginia’s SOL tests have worked because they have fostered a sense of accountability, learning excellence, and academic rigor.  But parents, teachers and educators from across the Commonwealth have demanded reforms. This legislation would only reduce the number of tests to stop over testing and work to improve the tests by re-emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving skills. Critical thinking and problem solving are life skills that will help students later in life. This reform will also promote greater flexibility for Virginia teachers and helping to ensure that our children have the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century economy.

Delegate Peace also proposed a working family child care tax credit in HB 1047. This legislation would support middle class working parents who need quality child care.  Del. Peace said “Early education provides a solid foundation for future academic success”, adding “no parent should have to make a choice between quality care for their children and their career.”