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Gubernatorial candidates spar at healthcare forum

Posted at 8:15 AM, Aug 06, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-06 08:15:14-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Both major candidates in the race to succeed Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell appeared at an event Monday night, just not at the same time.

At a candidates' forum on mental health issues at the Collegiate School, Republican candidate and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Democratic candidate erry Mcauliffe took shots at each other on Medicaid expansion as well as the special session on ethics Cuccinelli has asked for.

Governor Bob McDonnell is at the center of state and federal investigations looking into gifts he received from a prominent donor. McDonnell said he has since returned the money and gifts. That donor also gave gifts to Cuccinelli.

The attorney general said a Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly could clarify vague rules on campaign donation disclosure. McAuliffe said if Cuccinelli wanted a Special Session, he should consider returning gifts as well.

During the forum, McAuliffe discussed expanding Medicaid, while Cuccinelli  said more people could be covered by eliminating healthcare fraud.