Virginia Medicaid Is at Risk: What’s Happening, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do
In July 2025, Congress passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a major federal law that makes deep cuts to Medicaid, the program that provides health coverage to over 2 million Virginians, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income adults.
Even though the bill is now law, how it’s implemented in Virginia is still being decided, and public action can influence the outcome.
What’s in the Bill?
The new law makes significant changes to Medicaid nationwide:
Work Requirements: Adults aged 19 to 64 must prove they work at least 80 hours per month (or are in school or training) to stay covered. This could exclude caregivers, seasonal workers, and those in unstable jobs.
More Frequent Eligibility Checks: States must now re-check Medicaid eligibility every 6 months instead of once a year. People could lose coverage simply for missing paperwork or deadlines.
Reduced Federal Funding: Virginia could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid funding. A 2018 state law could automatically roll back Medicaid expansion if the federal match drops below 90%, unless the legislature intervenes.
Other Restrictions: The law limits payments to health care providers, restricts how states fund Medicaid through hospital fees, and eliminates support for some clinics, including those offering abortion services. These changes could threaten local clinics, rural hospitals, and safety-net services.
What This Means for Virginians
The impact on health coverage and health care access could be severe:
Over 200,000 Virginians may lose coverage due to new work rules or administrative barriers.
Rural communities and tribal health systems could face service reductions or closures.
Hospitals may lose billions of dollars over time, placing strain on emergency rooms and clinics.
The people most at risk include caregivers, people with disabilities, low-wage workers, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those already struggling with access to care.
Why This Matters
Medicaid plays a critical role in Virginia’s health care system. It covers:
One in three children
Over 100,000 veterans
Half of all births in the state
Mental health, substance use treatment, and preventive care
Without Medicaid, people are more likely to delay care, become sicker, and face crippling medical debt. Communities may lose essential clinics and health workers, especially in underserved areas.
What You Can Do Right Now
Even though the bill passed at the federal level, Virginia still has choices. Here's how you can act:
1. Call Your State Lawmakers
Ask them to protect Medicaid expansion, fill any funding gaps, and block automatic coverage cuts.
Find your legislators here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov
2. Help Others Stay Covered
Encourage people to update their contact information at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov.
Help with paperwork or connect them to organizations offering assistance.
3. Join Local Advocacy
Support or volunteer with groups like:
The Commonwealth Institute
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Healthcare for All Virginians Coalition
Legal Aid Justice Center
Move 2 Health Equity
Informed Voters of Virginia
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These organizations are fighting in court, in the legislature, and in communities to protect coverage.
4. Vote and Stay Informed
State elections shape health policy. Ask candidates where they stand on Medicaid and support those committed to protecting access to care.
In Conclusion
This moment is critical. What Virginia decides now will affect the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of people. Health care access shouldn’t depend on where you live, how much you earn, or what kind of job you have. If we act together through advocacy, outreach, and voting, we can protect health coverage for our communities.