After the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission found that general fund spending increased $1.7 billion throughout the last decade for Virginia's Medicaid program, State Rep. Steve Landes (R-Weyers Cave) said expanding the program is not "feasible," The New Virginia reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. Mr. Landes said a growing senior population registering for Medicaid benefits created several hurdles the state would need to overcome.
2. The commission is releasing a Medicaid-specific study that could serve as a guide for future reform.
3. Virginia's House Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford) doubts the upcoming report will change the notion that expansion is not feasible.
4. Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Hampshire) believes the state should accept federal funds, available for expansion, after the program undergoes reforms. The ACA is covering 97 percent of a state's expansion until 2020, when it drops to 90 percent.
5. Virginia's U.S. Senators are behind legislation to ensure the federal government covers 100 percent of expansion costs for the first three years.
6. Mr. Landes is questioning how long the expansion will be available when considering the $20 trillion in federal debt the country has.