Decision watched closely at Va. health foundation awards program [Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.]

June 28--A "who's who" of Virginia health care was at Richmond CenterStage this morning for the Virginia Health Care Foundation's annual Heroes in Health Care Awards -- but the other big story of the day was commanding attention there as well.

Many checked their smartphones repeatedly for news of the Supreme Court ruling on health care reform. First there was confusion as some were told the mandate was struck down, while others read reports that it was upheld.

By the start of the 10:30 a.m. awards ceremony, it was clearer that the mandate would stand.

"What that means for patients who come to the free clinics, they will have access to some form of health insurance and that will increase their access to health care," said Linda Wilkinson, executive director of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.

For free clinics, the ruling means "that those free clinics that choose to participate in either Medicaid expansion, if the state of Virginia continues to move forward with Medicaid expansion, that our free clinics can consider possibly participating in that Medicaid expansion, thereby allowing their current patients to remain patients and maintain their medical home," Wilkinson said.

"This will open many doors for the free clinics patients," she said.

(This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more details as they become available. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)

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