Va. Gov. Northam: Virginia Receives Approval to Expand Access to Health Care Through State-Based Exchange

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Ralph S. Northam, R-Virginia, issued the following news release on Aug. 21:

Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia has been approved to proceed with a state-based health insurance exchange. Approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allows Virginia to take over some functions of its current federal exchange beginning with open enrollment this November, and puts the Commonwealth on a path to full control by 2023.

"This approval could not come at a more critical time as we continue to battle COVID-19," said Governor Northam. "The Trump administration is doing everything possible to gut the Affordable Care Act and kick families off their health insurance, and a state-based exchange will give Virginia the autonomy we need to expand access to care and reduce premiums. As governor and as a physician, I will never stop fighting for affordable, high-quality health care."

By establishing the Virginia Exchange, the Commonwealth can implement policies to better address costs. The state will be able to work directly with insurance companies to meet the health coverage needs of all Virginians purchasing coverage, including small employers. Virginia will also be able to provide more targeted outreach and enrollment services and extend the time Virginians have to enroll in coverage, if needed. These strategies will expand access to health care and help increase overall affordability.

Increasing access to health care has been a top priority of the Northam administration. More than 452,000 Virginians have enrolled in new health care coverage since 2018, when Governor Northam successfully fought to expand Medicaid in Virginia. The expansion of Medicaid has proven a critical lifeline for Virginians during this health pandemic, with more than 125,603 Virginians, including 41,272 children, enrolled in Medicaid since the COVID-19 state of emergency was declared in Virginia on March 12 of this year.

* * *

To: Ralph Northam, Governor, Office of the Governor, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Governor Northam:

Thank you for your letter regarding Virginia's intent to operate a State-based Exchange on the Federal Platform (SBE-FP) for the Plan Year 2021 open enrollment period. We recognize this means Virginia will no longer operate as a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) and will complete all SBE-FP requirements, as outlined in your Blueprint Application.

CMS will continue to provide technical assistance to Virginia during this transition, as Virginia continues to build toward being able to carry out all required functions of an SBE-FP. Through this letter, we acknowledge Virginia will have the capability to perform consumer assistance, plan management, and related SBE-FP responsibilities beginning with this upcoming open enrollment period.

Thank you,

Randy Pate

Director, Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services