RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ House Republicans say they remain resolute in their opposition to using federal Medicaid funds to provide health insurance to as many as 400,000 low-income Virginians. During a conference call with reporters Tuesday, House Speaker William J. Howell said he is optimistic that Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Democratic lawmakers would back down from their support of a proposed state budget that includes expanding Medicaid eligibility. State services could shutter if a state budget isn’t passed by July 1. House Republicans also sent a letter to Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner asking him to support their position. Last year, Warner condemned national Republicans who forced a federal government shutdown over a failed effort to defund the Affordable Care Act. Howell said McAuliffe is using similar tactics in the Virginia Medicaid expansion debate.
