News

Actions

UPDATE: Virginia granted extension for health care decision

Posted at 7:25 AM, Nov 17, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-17 11:20:52-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Virginia lawmakers now have until Dec. 14 to decide how to move forward in compliance with the Affordable Health Care Act.

The decision is over how to run an exchange program where people or small businesses can shop online for affordable health care.

Virginia was one of many states that decided to wait for election results before making a decision.

The governor’s office issued this statement:

“We are pleased that the Obama Administration has listened to the very real concerns presented by Governors of both parties about the timing of the original deadline. We hope that they will use this extension to provide far more information to the states and allow input regarding the issue of exchange construction and implementation. There are numerous questions that still need to be addressed before states will have all the information necessary to make this important decision on behalf of their taxpayers. With the extension our position remains the same. If we had to make a decision today we would choose to default to the federal exchange, due to the many questions still left unanswered by Washington. Over the next month we will continue to evaluate the best course of option for Virginia’s consumers, and hopefully do so aided by new and thorough information from the Obama Administration.”