Health care is the second largest component of Virginia’s state budget. As such, it is often a target when searching for spending cuts to balance the budget. However, more than a million Virginians still do not have health insurance coverage, the state ranks 35th in infant mortality, Virginians pay the highest percentage of premium cost for individual employer-sponsored insurance in the nation, and the state ranks 47th in Medicaid coverage for working parents. The Commonwealth Institute is dedicated to analyzing the facts with regard to health care access, quality and affordability in Virginia and presenting decision-makers, advocates and consumers with the best information available to help inform good public policy.

Health Care Reform or No, Virginia Can Cover More Kids
New Report Details How and Why Virginia Should Maximize Federal Funding for FAMIS

A new law passed by Congress earlier this year provides an immediate opportunity for the state to improve the successful Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) program and cover more of the 129,000 uninsured children in Virginia. But if the General Assembly and the Governor don’t take the required action, some of the funding could disappear in less than two years. >>Click here to read the new report

New Census Data: Nearly One Million Virginians Lack Health Coverage, Job-Based Coverage in Decline
Recession Likely to Further Expand Ranks of Uninsured 

Roughly one-in-seven Virginians lacked health coverage in 2007 and 2008, according to new data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, and employer-provided health insurance continued to decline nationwide. >>Click here for the full release

Va. General Assembly to Vote on Unemployment Package
Public News Service
Richmond - The Virginia General Assembly holds an up or down vote today on a series of amendments put forward by Governor Tim Kaine to modernize the state's ... (listen to audio)

Predicting poverty in the Commonwealth
As Virginia’s recession worsens, thousands more children will be pushed into poverty
One year into the recession, there are signs of mounting harm to Virginia families and children. Although unemployment and poverty in Virginia should remain somewhat lower than nationally, this will be of little comfort to the thousands of Virginians likely to be pushed into poverty by this recession. ... As unemployment worsens, we predict a significant increase in the number of Virginians living in poverty. ...
>> Get the full forecast
>> Read the press release

Ending Mandated Health Insurance Benefits:
The Wrong Prescription for Virginia’s Health System
In an effort to make health insurance more affordable for small business, Senate Bill 920 would allow health insurance plans to offer products without all the mandated benefits currently required by law. While the intent of increasing health insurance coverage in the state is positive, the proposed legislation is the incorrect approach. >>Get the Full Report
Download the report: The Wrong Prescription for Virginia’s Health System (pdf)

Federal Economic Recovery Bill Would Help Virginia Health Care
New projections suggest Virginia could receive up to $1.4 billion in additional federal support for Medicaid during the next two years as part of the economic recovery package under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. If authorized, the added federal revenue should be sufficient to prevent significant reductions in Medicaid eligibility or services. As the General Assembly and Governor Kaine continue to search for ways to address the state budget’s $3.2 billion estimated shortfall, new federal funding for Medicaid will be essential in maintaining critical healthcare services.
Download the Report: Federal Economic Recovery Bill Would Help Virginia Health Care (pdf)

Unemployed Virginians Have Trouble Accessing Health Coverage
An important protection for Americans who leave or lose their job is the ability to maintain their health insurance coverage under a law called COBRA. For Virginians losing their jobs in the current economic downturn, however, paying for COBRA coverage (or purchasing private insurance) has become increasingly burdensome and unaffordable. A new report shows just how unaffordable it is.
Read the Press Release: New Data Underscores Need to Reposition Virginia's Health Safety Net (pdf)
Download the report: Unemployed Virginians Have Trouble Accessing Health Coverage (pdf)

Virginia's Health Safety Net Faces Challenges
The economic downturn is impacting workers and families across Virginia. Economic conditions are deteriorating, and we may only be at the very beginning of the downturn.  And to make matters worse, the state’s healthcare safety net is not well positioned to handle these challenges.  Important changes can be made to address these challenges and position the health safety net for maximum support.
Download the report: Virginia’s Health Safety Net Faces Challenges (pdf)

Growing Number of Uninsured in Virginia and Shrinking Coverage through Employers
Both the number and percentage of Virginians without health insurance increased for the third consecutive year, according to data released August 26, 2008 by the United States Census Bureau.  In 2007, according to Census estimates, Virginia had over 1.1 million uninsured residents (14.8 percent of the population).  The national health insurance data showed an opposite trend, with a decline of over 300,000 in the overall uninsured population.
Download the fact sheet: Fact Sheet: Health Coverage In Virginia (pdf)