WISE, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is barnstorming the state to make his pitch to expand Medicaid eligibility to about 400,000 residents.
The Democratic governor flew to Wise County on Tuesday to meet with doctors, hospital officials and low-income residents who don’t have health insurance.
McAuliffe asked them to press their state lawmakers into supporting a plan proposed by the Virginia Senate to accept federal Medicaid dollars and expand eligibility for the publicity financed health insurance program.
The county is in the heart of coal country and is in one poorest regions of the state.
Leaders of the GOP-controlled House of Delegates are staunchly opposed to Medicaid expansion, saying it would likely hurt the state’s long-term economy.
McAuliffe said he plans to visit several more hospitals in coming days.
