Decision Virginia

With session drawing to a close, budget deal remains elusive

By: Ryan Nobles 

A lot of posturing, not much progress. 

That may be the way to describe the status of negotiations at the State Capitol. Virginia Democrats, led by Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) remain committed to only passing a budget that contains an expansion of Medicaid. Republicans, led by Speaker William Howell and Del. Kirk Cox refuse to budge. 

Thursday McAuliffe used the expected roll out of a new program that will combine Medicaid and Medicare programs for Virginians who are eligible for both as an example that the state is ready for wholesale expansion.

The reform is significant and supported by republicans and democrats, but republicans were quick to say it has nothing to do with Medicaid expansion and especially as it relates to the budget.

It seems that despite a lot of public sabre rattling, we aren't much closer to a deal on the budget.

Here is my story for NBC12:

RICHMOND (WWBT)- The announcement of Virginia's move to blend Medicare and Medicaid was going to happen with or without an expansion of Medicaid.

But Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) believes it is an example of how Virginia has worked to reform the process. Republicans still don't believe the state or the federal government is ready for that kind of huge investment.

It was a campaign promise, and Governor McAuliffe continues his push for expansion, any which way he can.

"This Medicaid expansion and how it relates to Medicaid in Virginia this is critical to our budget it is already 20% of our budget," the Governor said in a one on one interview in his office.

McAuliffe continues to hold firm on his belief the budget cannot go through without Medicaid expansion. Republicans argue both sides should be having two different conversations.

'We need a clean budget not one that includes Medicaid expansion something that was inserted and not introduced by the governor something that was inserted by the senate and is holding up the other priority needs of the commonwealth," and said Del. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) the lead budget negotiator in the House.

According to the governor today's announcement that people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid can now sign up for one program- is evidence that Virginia has made great strides reforming the system and prepared to cover more people.

"It is a win win it shows that Virginia is on top leading on what we need to do on these health care reforms," McAuliffe said.

But republicans aren't ready to budge, and aren't ready to trust the federal government to hold up its end of the bargain long term.

"We knew this coming in I've met with shareholder groups back in October that were concerned about the contracts," said Jones. "I think there are three insurers they are dealing with. So this is nothing new. There is nothing new with this."

...read the full story on NBC12.com

Meanwhile some 78 thousand Virginians are already starting to take advantage of the new blended program.

Mike Valerio covered that part of the story and how it will directly impact those who are eligible for both programs:

RICHMOND (WWBT)- In an effort to cut confusion and cut costs, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the merger of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Virginians enrolled in both programs Thursday. The move eliminates two sets of often misaligned rules, and launches the new endeavor in one new program.

The new initiative is now known as Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC), a program that will cover an estimated 78,000 Virginians. Gov. McAuliffe said the goal is to eliminate complicated rules, and to help patients request the care they need.

"Nationwide, individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid typically have the highest and most complex medical needs but are often underserved," McAuliffe said at a news conference Thursday. "CCC will blend all of the benefits currently provided under Medicare and Medicaid into one plan."

Letters are now being sent to all Virginians who are eligible for the plan. The letters provide information on how to enroll, as well as contact information for representatives who can answer questions.

Highlights of CCC include a care manager for each patient, a feature Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Dr. William A. Hazel, Jr. said goes beyond current benefits for Medicaid and Medicare.

"[A care manager] will complete a comprehensive evaluation to understand the enrollee's situation and work directly with the enrollee to develop a plan of care that is tailored to their needs and preferences," Hazel said.

Republicans largely dismissed the announcement as a plan that was already in the works for three years. Advocates for senior citizens also expressed concerns that patients may throw out the enrollment letters by mistake, or not understand the changes.

"Even if the letter is thrown out, people who receive certain medications from Medicaid and Medicare will continue to receive the same medications under the new system," said Cindi Jones, director of Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services in a phone interview Thursday. "And if you don't like the new merged plan, you have the right to opt out, and go back to how things were before."

read and see Mike's full story on NBC12.com 

McAuliffe backs away from tough talk on Medicaid expansion but vows to "get it done"

By: Mike Valerio & Ryan Nobles

Both sides claim a shutdown is not where the debate over Virginia's budget is headed, but with no apparent resolution in sight, it is hard to see how it can be avoided. 

Mike sat down one-on-one with both of the primary players in the debate over Medicaid expansion, which is the central tenant that could lead to a breakdown. Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) and House Speaker Bill Howell (R) refused to entertain the idea that their negotiations might end in a stalemate, but they also both refused to give on their positions of expanding health care coverage. 

On the campaign trail McAuliffe was insistent that he would not sign a budget that did not include Medicaid expansion as part of the Affordable Care Act. It was a position that was popular with the party's liberal base. But now as the negotiations begin in earnest, and he is the governor, not just a candidate, McAuliffe has softened his tone on what he will or will not give on. 

"You know, maybe I’m the ultimate optimist here, but I believe we’re going to get it done," McAuliffe said. "Because to me, it makes so much common sense."

But Howell, who rules his powerful GOP caucus with an iron fist, remains committed to letting a commission formed last year take its time and map out a path forward on Medicaid without opening up the program immediately to a whole new pool of consumers. Howell believes the state does not have enough information about how expansion would impact Virginia's bottom line and he does not trust Washington to continue funding the program the way it is promising at the outset of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. 

"They just don’t have the ability to follow through," Howell said.  "They are $17 trillion in debt today. They’re adding to that debt anywhere between a trillion and a half a trillion a year."

McAuliffe seems frustrated that the GOP won't offer him any wiggle room in the negotiations. He said he is open to hearing their ideas, but so far they have offered nothing but the word 'no'. 

"When you go into negotiation and say, 'no no no no no,' you are the ones, they’re causing gridlock, McAuliffe said. "If they change it, we change it. That’s a simple part of negotiations to do. I’ve been open to that."

Howell responded that negotiations are ongoing, and it is the Governor who should not get hung up on one aspect of a complex budget. 

"I can’t envision the Senate saying 'we’re going to shut this down,' for a plan that isn’t ready," he said. Adding, "If the governor gets a budget, he'll sign it."

Regardless, the showdown has left two sides in a staring contest without much of a path forward. They continue to say they aren't willing to let the budget be held hostage by the impasse, but until someone gives that appears to be where they are headed. 

Virginia politicans love to point out that our legislature works differently than Washington. The next two weeks will demonstrate if that is indeed true. 

Mike's full interview with Governor McAuliffe can be found below:

  

Mike's interview with Speaker Howell can be found here: 

  

You can read Mike's story below: 

RICHMOND (WWBT)-  It’s a shutdown scenario that is possible for Virginia – would Gov. Terry McAuliffe refuse to sign the budget, if Medicaid expansion failed to pass the General Assembly?

 McAuliffe made Medicaid expansion a critical campaign promise last summer. The Governor pledged to bring healthcare to 400,000 Virginians who have incomes too high for Medicaid, but too low to afford quality health insurance.

 In an interview Tuesday, Gov. McAuliffe backed off the threat of a government shutdown. His comments contrasted from statements made on the camping trail, when he promised not to sign a budget unless it included Medicaid expansion.

 “The only ones who are talking about a shutdown are the Republican leadership,” McAuliffe said. “We can get this done. It’s the right thing to do – to bring our tax dollars back to Virginia.”

Republican House Speaker William Howell (R-Stafford) expressed optimism that a shutdown would be avoided, but said Virginia is not ready for Medicaid expansion.

“[Medicaid spending] has grown over 1,600 percent over the past 30 years,” Howell said in an interview Tuesday. “And every dollar that we don’t take from the federal government is one less dollar they have to borrow.”

The problem, in part, stems from trust with Washington. States now have the option of expanding Medicaid to thousands, with the federal government picking up most of the tab. But Republicans do not believe Washington will be able to pay for more Virginia hospital bills with current federal spending levels.

“They just don’t have the ability to follow through,” Howell said. “They are $17 trillion in debt today. They’re adding to that debt anywhere between a trillion and a half a trillion a year.”

But McAuliffe defended the federal government’s ability to keep its end of the deal, and said Virginia could change course if Washington backed out of its promise.

“First of all, they’ve never backed out of their commitment to Medicare,” McAuliffe said. “But if they change [the Medicaid deal], we change it. That’s a simple part of negotiations to do. I’ve been open to that.”

There is now a compromise plan in the Senate tentatively called “Marketplace Virginia,” where Medicaid dollars would be used to fund private health insurance options. McAuliffe said he would be open to the proposal.

“You know, maybe I’m the ultimate optimist here, but I believe we’re going to get it done,” McAuliffe said of expansion. “These 400,000 Virginians are still going to go to an emergency room. They will be treated. Somebody will pay for that. That cost will be borne by our businesses.”

-read and see Mike's full story on NBC12.com 

 

Napa wine tasting, trips to Paris & South Korea: General Assembly gift-giving

BY MIKE VALERIO:

It’s a list of exotic trips and perks for the members of the Virginia General Assembly, rewards and retreats for lawmakers who make only a maximum $18,000 per year.

Members Thursday reported more than $260,000 in free concerts, trips and outings, according to public disclosure forms compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.

The lawmaker who tops the list of gift totals, Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax), who reported $11,499 for 2013. A $7,600 trip to Seoul, South Korea is listed within Marsden’s disclosure form, paid for by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Photo: annandaleva.blogspot.com

Sen. Dave Marsden (left) meets with chairman of the Korean Federation of Industries during a trip in August sponsored by the Korean government.

Marsden’s 37^th Senate District has a sizable Korean population, and the Senator has led efforts to include the name “East Sea,” along with the Sea of Japan in Virginia textbooks. Korea views the Sea of Japan as a name reflective of what’s perceived to be a legacy of Japanese imperialism. The South Korean ambassador headed to Richmond to discuss the issue Thursday with Gov. Terry McAuliffe as well as legislators.

“It was a very successful trip in terms of promoting the East Sea Bill,” Marsden said in a phone interview Thursday. “We promoted Virginia business and at the same time, showed that we deeply care about Koreans who live here in America.”

Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford) reported a Napa wine tasting outing provided by Henrico-based Altria. The company paid a total of $238 for the Speaker and his wife for trip to California’s wine country. Altria also paid the bill for meals and transportation during Howell’s trip to the National Speakers Conference.

Howell also received a $536 iPad with cover and duffle bag, paid for by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. A spokesperson for the Speaker declined to comment on any of the gifts.

A tip to Paris was made possible by tobacco company settlement funds, with Sen. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville) reporting a $4,235 journey to the Paris Air Show.

Photo: Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, Baltimore Sun

In an email Thursday, Sen. Ruff said the trip to France involved economic development in Virginia, and there would be an announcement Friday related to the visit.

“I have focused my time in the Senate trying to do everything possible to increase economic opportunities in Southern Virginia,” Ruff wrote. “Those efforts not only include talking to prospects but also working to improve the workforce quality to make our region more attractive to manufacturing.”

Rep. Terry Kilgore also attended the Paris Air Show, recording $1,900 in hotel and airfare expenses.

In terms of taxpayer funded trips, 35 members reported more than $1000 in travel expenses to conferences nation-wide. Sen. Walter Stosch (R-Glen Allen) reported the lowest dollar amount for taxpayer funded trips, disclosing $292 for a trip to the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, D.C.

Currently, General Assembly members are allowed to accept gifts regardless of amount, a rule that may change following Gov. Bob McDonnell’s gift scandal. However, each January, lawmakers must disclose all gifts valued at more than $50.

At the bottom of the list for gift totals, Del. Manoli Loupassi (R-Richmond) and Former Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake) only reported one gift each. Both members accepted a Wawa gift basket, valued at $51.

View the entire list of gifts courtesy of VPAP here.