VEA Ads Urge Senate to Adopt Medicaid Expansion

RICHMOND, Virginia, May 16 -- The Virginia Education Association issued the following news release:

The Virginia Education Association today launched an advertising campaign in Richmond and Hampton Roads to make the public aware of the importance of a state budget that puts our students and public schools first.

"Virginians need to know that Medicaid expansion will not only insure thousands more Virginians, it will also make available substantial new funding for students and public schools," said VEA President Jim Livingston. The House budget, with Medicaid expansion, would put $169 million more into K-12 education.

"Virginia needs Medicaid expansion," Livingston said. "The House recognizes this fact. But a small number of Senate Republican leaders are using procedural tactics to block these efforts that will help millions of Virginians."

The campaign includes television, radio, and online ads. The TV ad can be viewed at the VEA website, www.veanea.org.

"We're calling on the Senate to stop playing games and to do what is best for Virginians, and that means Medicaid expansion," said Livingston.