Politics & Government
McAuliffe Vetoes Attempt to Thwart Medicaid Expansion
V.A. Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Friday several line-item vetoes in the state's budget, striking a measure that prevented him from expanding Medicaid to 400,000 low-income Virginians.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) used his line-item veto today to remove portions of the budget written to thwart his attempt to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
McAuliffe said Friday he would sign the budget after several vetoes, including an amendment intended to keep the Democratic governor from expanding medicaid without legislative approval. Rather than going through the General Assembly, McAuliffe said he and his staff are working with the federal government, insurance companies and hospitals on his own to expand health care for 400,000 low-income residents, WJLA reports.
McAuliffe announced Secretary of Health and Human Services William A. Hazel Jr. will present a work-around plan by Sept. 1. The governor said he would veto the entire budget if the end of the fiscal year were not a mere 10 days away, the Washington Post reports.
Lawmakers will return to Richmond to consider McAuliffe's line-item veto Monday, where Republicans in the House could potentially override his decision. Republicans in the Senate likely won't, since they only outnumber Democrats 20-19.
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