LaRock Responds To Governor’s Medicaid Push
For Immediate Release – February 24, 2014
Contact: Peter LaRock: (540) 336-2702 or Peter@VoteLaRock.us
LaRock Responds To Governor’s Medicaid Push
February 24, 2014
Richmond, VA – Delegate Dave LaRock responded to Governor McAuliffe’s push for a massive permanent Obamacare Medicaid expansion and encouraged the Legislature to instead pursue fiscally responsible ways to bring needed medical care to all Virginians.
“There’s no question that we need to take action to serve the people of the Commonwealth who need health care and don’t have it. The budget the House of Delegates has submitted takes this action, investing heavily in healthcare and related services,” LaRock noted.
“In pushing for a Medicaid expansion, Governor McAuliffe is trying to sell Virginians a promotional package and ignoring the long-term fiscal implications this will have for the Commonwealth and the negative effect it is likely to have on those currently enrolled in the program. What he isn’t telling us is how this program will be paid for when Federal support begins to drop off in just six years. How high does he intend to raise taxes? What programs does he plan to cut? Pushing a program like this without any plan to pay for it equates to a huge unfunded mandate.”
“Our legislature has to focus on initiatives that will create jobs and help our economy continue to recover. Medicaid is already a substantial drain on Virginia, accounting for a fifth of our general fund spending and growing at an alarming rate. This program is eating up resources in Virginia that could be used to better our schools, our transportation, or be left in taxpayer’s hands to create new business opportunities. For the Governor to expand a fundamentally broken program is irresponsible. If we rush into an expansion, we can guarantee that we will face tax hikes and program cuts in the future to support it.”
“The House of Delegates will continue to work to reform Medicaid, and will continue to pursue creative ways to assist our citizens without risking the fiscal future of Virginia. I encourage the Governor to do the same.”
About Dave LaRock
Delegate Dave LaRock represents the 33rd House District, including parts of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick Counties, and the towns of Leesburg (partial), Purcellville, Berryville, Lovettsville, Round Hill, Hamilton and Hillsboro. LaRock serves on the Transportation Committee, the Science and Technology Committee and the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee. Dave and his wife, Joanne, have lived in Loudoun for 28 years, building a successful family-owned general contracting business. The LaRocks reside near Hamilton with Abby and John, the youngest of their seven children.
###
321 words
For more information about Dave LaRock, or to schedule an interview, please contact Peter LaRock at (540) 336-2702 or Peter@VoteLaRock.us