CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) _ Uninsured Virginia residents who have serious mental illnesses can receive medical and behavioral health care through a new state program. Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the launch of the Governor’s Access Plan, or GAP, on Tuesday. He says in a news release that the federal government approved a waiver for the program last week. McAuliffe says more than 50,000 uninsured Virginians experienced a serious mental illness such as major depression or schizophrenia in the past year. Through the GAP program, these residents will have access to primary medical and behavioral health care. The state’s share of the program’s cost will come from savings in the Medicaid program. The program will cost $13 million this year. McAuliffe says the federal government will provide matching funds for the program’s cost.
