Showing posts with label Medicaid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medicaid. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Governor McAuliffe Launches Statewide Virtual Datathon Challenge


~ Teams from across Virginia will create new and innovative applications ~
(Or, How to get people to work for free)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today launched the 2015 Virtual Datathon Challenge, a competition that will bring together teams of innovators from across the Commonwealth to create new applications that improve government

“We can’t have an innovative new Virginia economy without an innovative government,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That’s why last year my administration launched Virginia’s first ever open data portal, and why last September we brought together state agencies to build brand new apps from scratch. This year, I’m challenging innovators across Virginia to use our state data in creative ways that will encourage collaboration and transparency within our government, enhance the services we provide our citizens, and build on our state’s reputation for innovative, efficient and customer-oriented government.”

Virginia Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson continued, “This Virtual Challenge will give all Virginians the opportunity to use data and technology to improve their government and how it serves their communities.  Apps are changing lives; we are seeing a movement where longstanding challenges are being solved by technology solutions developed by a growing population of civic coders. We want Virginia to lead the way.”

The Virtual Challenge winner will advance to the final round of competition at the statewide competition where they will compete for the Governor’s Cup.

For more information and competition registration, please visit data.virginia.gov.  To join the big data conversation, follow @DataVirginia and #TechInVA.


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Governor McAuliffe’s Statement on Senator John Watkins Retirement

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement following Senator John Watkins retirement:

“For more than 30 years, John Watkins has dedicated his life to serving the people of the Commonwealth. In both the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, he has been a leader for legislation that has improved transportation, focused on business development, and fought to make Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I appreciate John’s willingness to work with me to try and find a way to provide health care for 400,000 Virginians. He has a strong record of putting policy above politics, and it has been an honor for me to work with him. John has been a champion for all Virginians.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Virginia Receives $9.3 Million Grant to Help Virginians Access Health Coverage

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Me...
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Medicaid administrator) logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Virginia is one of only four states to have been awarded a $9.3 million federal grant to hire more than 100 enrollment assisters who will help state residents sign up on the Federal Marketplace for health insurance starting November 15. The federal grant will play a large role in helping Governor McAuliffe implement his “Healthy Virginia” plan to expand health care to more than 200,000 Virginians.

“This federal grant will boost my administration’s efforts to help Virginians get access to the health care they need,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe, who received the news Tuesday morning in a telephone call with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell. “We will use this money to put more boots on the ground to make sure individuals and families find the best low-cost insurance options for them, and to make sure they know about the financial assistance that is available.”

During the initial 2013-14 sign-up period, Virginia’s state government was not an active participant in educational and outreach efforts. However, more than 216,000 Virginians purchased health plans. Unfortunately, an estimated 300,000 Virginians who are qualified for tax credits if they purchase insurance on the Federal Marketplace remain uninsured.

As part of his “Healthy Virginia” plan, Governor McAuliffe announced last month that he has set a goal to enroll up to 160,000 more Virginians on the Marketplace during the enrollment period that extends fromNovember 15 to February 15.

The federal grant awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services enables Virginia to partner with the Virginia Community Healthcare Association and the Virginia Poverty Law Center and deploy more than 100 paid enrollment assisters across the Commonwealth.

“This is a major step forward for Virginia,” said Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel. “I am particularly pleased that some of the individuals who are in the Medicaid coverage gap will qualify for financial assistance on the Marketplace.”

The Virginia Community Healthcare Association is a nonprofit association representing 28 federally qualified health centers and one rural health clinic. The association trained and oversaw certified application counselors during the initial sign-up period. The grant and partnership with Virginia will enable it to step up outreach and enrollment activities this fall and winter.

The Virginia Poverty Law Center, based in Richmond, provides training to local Legal Aid program staff and is a designated Navigator organization in Virginia.

“The Virginia Community Healthcare Association is delighted with this opportunity,” said Neal Graham, Chief Executive Officer of VCHA. “This will enable us to provide funding to the Community Health Centers and other community partners to place enrollment staff at the local level.  As we learned last year, local staff make all the difference in assisting persons in making the important choices about the purchase of health care coverage; and health care coverage makes all the difference in people’s lives.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity to help more Virginians know about and enroll in affordable health insurance options,” added Jill Hanken, staff attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

As part of Virginia’s campaign to enroll state residents, the state will launch an improved website next month at coverva.org with user-friendly links to health care options and educational resources. The state also will begin a major media campaign this winter to increase awareness about the importance and availability of health insurance. A family of three with an income between $19,790 and $79,160 may be eligible for tax credits when purchasing insurance on the Federal Marketplace.

The grant will be administered by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Statement on Upcoming Special Session

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today on this week’s special session of the General Assembly to consider proposals to expand access to health care for Virginians:

“As legislators prepare to come back to Richmond to consider proposals to expand access to health care for Virginians who need it, I hope they will join me in moving past the partisan division that has characterized this debate so far. To that end, Delegate Tom Rust has introduced a conservative compromise proposal that will get Virginians the care that they are already paying for, without exposing our Commonwealth to undue fiscal risk. I hope the General Assembly will pass the Rust bill this week so that I can sign it right away.

“This special session is an opportunity to continue to prove to Virginians that Republicans and Democrats can work together on common sense solutions to make their lives better. I am ready to negotiate and sign any proposal that brings our taxpayer dollars home to expand access to care, and I invite my friends in both parties to join me at the table.

“Virginia families, businesses and hospitals will be watching the actions that we take here this week. We owe it to them to bring our tax dollars home to expand health care access, create jobs and bring savings to our budget. We cannot afford to fall short of that goal.”




Friday, September 12, 2014

Virginia Leaders Applaud Governor McAuliffe’s Bold Efforts to Expand Health Care Services to 200,000 Virginians

Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds (Democrati...
Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor McAuliffe launched A Healthy Virginiaa 10-step plan to expand health care services to over 200,000 Virginians. This plan is an unprecedented action by any governor in Virginia history and includes authorizations of four emergency regulations, one executive order, and innovative and creative solutions to expand healthcare to Virginia veterans, children, and families.

This plan has received praise from leaders across the Commonwealth:
  
Senator Don McEachin, Henrico:

“I commend Gov. McAuliffe for his plan to ensure that many more Virginians have access to quality, affordable health care. His plan makes crucial improvement to our broken status quo — changes that will help veterans, children, and families. The governor has given House Republicans a strong foundation on which to build when we reconvene. For months now, they have promised a plan. It is time for them to deliver.”

Senator Louise Lucas, Portsmouth:
                                                    
“Today is a tremendous step forward in health care for Virginia communities. I want to thank and praise Governor McAuliffe for his continuous efforts to make this plan happen. Now hundreds of thousands of Virginians will become healthier and live more prosperous lives.”

Senator Creigh Deeds, Bath:

“Governor McAuliffe has taken bold steps forward in assuring that Virginians with mental illnesses are not forgotten. I commend the Governor in helping craft a solution that will address the needs of the mental health community and ensure that many Virginians have the help they need.


“I want to applaud Governor McAuliffe for his strong leadership and commitment to expanding access to healthcare to all Virginians. The steps he outlined today are bold moves that will help the lives of hundreds of thousands of our citizens. It is my sincere hope that now House Republicans will understand it is their responsibility to come to the table during the September 18th Special Session and actually find a pathway forward to close the coverage gap.”

Delegate Ken Plum, Fairfax:

“Governor McAuliffe has shown to Virginians that health care is a fundamental right through the A Healthy Virginia report presented today. His unwavering support to increase access for 200,000 of our Commonwealth’s residents is a testament to delivering on the promise he made when he took the oath of office back in January. The responsibility now falls in the hands of the General Assembly to put politics aside, and do what is right for those Virginians that are struggling every single day.”

Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, Fairfax:

Governor McAuliffe has established himself as a leader when it comes to healthcare in the Commonwealth. I want to thank him for his efforts to put Virginia families first, and allowing thousands of individuals to have access to quality health care. This is a vital component to building a new Virginia economy and creating new jobs across the region.”
Delegate Sam Rasoul, Roanoke City:
"I am delighted to hear that the Governor has launched A Healthy Virginia. Here in Roanoke and throughout the Commonwealth, there are people who need better access to medical services. These innovative measures will be a tremendous help to our children, veterans, and families. By keeping all of our citizens healthy, we can stay on the pathway to a better Virginia."
Dana Schrad, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
“I would like to commend Governor McAuliffe for his commitment to making Virginia communities healthier and safer. The Governor's strong leadership on issues related to mental health and reducing deaths from prescription drug and heroin abuse are bold steps forward. We look forward to working with the Governor on making all Virginia communities better places to live and work.”

Doris Crouse-Mays, President, Virginia AFL-CIO

“Hundreds of thousands of Virginians will benefit from the Governor’s bold actions today. Now the General Assembly has an obligation to continue this important work so that every Virginian can reap the benefits of bringing our tax dollars home to keep people healthy, create jobs and build a new Virginia economy.”

Cianti Stewart-Reid, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“Today the Governor continued to make good on his promise to do everything he can to get Virginians access to quality health care. This plan is an unprecedented step toward keeping our friends and neighbors healthy. I hope House Republicans will take this opportunity to come back to the table and build upon the Governor’s strong effort.”
Tram Nguyen, Co-Executive Director, Virginia New Majority:

“I commend Governor McAuliffe on putting a plan forward that will get hundreds of thousands of Virginians access to health care that they need. This is a tremendous step in the right direction, and I hope Republicans in the General Assembly will finally work in good faith to close the coverage gap.”

Brian Devine, Director of Online Programs, ProgressVA:

“I want to thank Governor McAuliffe for taking these vital steps forward to ensure that Virginians across the Commonwealth can get health coverage they need and deserve. It is time for House Republicans to step up to the plate for Virginia families, and bring our tax dollars home to benefit our neighbors and communities.”





Thursday, September 11, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (People Keep Leaving)

Terry McAuliffe and State Senator Donald McEac...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.


Secretariat of the Commonwealth
Board Appointments
Board of Regents of Gunston Hall
*Members of the Board of Regents are selected from a list of members submitted by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

·       Elaine Carter Blaylock* of Dallas, TX
·       Harrison Flynn Giddens of Tampa, FL
·       Penn Ervin Grove of Knoxville, TN
·       Nancy Hudler Keuffel of Bloomfield Hills, MI
·       Barbara Camp Linville of Lake Forest, IL
·       Linda H. Mattingly of McLean, VA
·       Rowena Day Boyd Van Dyke of St. Louis, MO
·       Virginia T. Simonds White of Dover, MA

Board of Health Professions

·       Helene D. Clayton-Jeter, OD of Great Falls, Health Programs Coordinator and Director of the FDA’s Cardiovascular and Endocrine Liaison Program in the Office of Health and Constituent Affairs, Office of External Affairs in the Office of the Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; representing the Board of Optometry
·       Frazier W. Frantz, MD of Norfolk, pediatric surgeon, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, where he has practiced since retirement from the U. S. Navy in 2009; representing the Board of Medicine.
·       Yvonne Patricia Haynes, LCSW* of Midlothian, Mental Health Director, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority; representing the Board of Social Work
·       Allen R. Jones Jr., DPT, PT of Newport News, Owner and CEO, Dominion Physical Therapy & Associates, Inc.; representing the Board of Physical Therapy
·       Robert H. Logan III, PhD of Roanoke, Executive Director, Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council
·       Trula E. Minton of Richmond, Chief Nurse Executive, Chippenham  and Johnston-Willis Hospitals, Inc.; representing the Board of Nursing
·       Martha S. Perry, MS of McLeanMarriage and Family Therapy Resident,  Caring Couples, Happy Lives; Doctoral Candidate, University of Kentucky
·       Ellen B. Shinaberry, RPH, PharmD of Harrisonburg, Pharmacy IT Manager, Sentara RMH Medical Center; representing the Board of Pharmacy
·       Jacquelyn M. Tyler, RN of Freeman, Quality Manager and Nursing Educator/Supervisor, PTX, LLC and Old Dominion Dialysis, Inc.
·       James D. Watkins, DDS of Hampton, General Dentist in private practice; representing the Board of Dentistry
·       J. Paul Welch II, of Warsaw, a second generation Owner/Manager of Welch Funeral Home on the Northern Neck; representing the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
·       James Wells, RPh of Front Royal, Pharmacy Administrative Director, Valley Health-Warren Memorial Hospital and Page Memorial Hospital; Pharmacy Preceptor, University of Charleston-Robert C. Byrd Center for Pharmaceutical Education

Governor’s Advisory Board on Volunteerism and National Service

·       Marshall Dendy of Richmond, a senior at Trinity Episcopal School

Information Technology Advisory Council

·       Sandra “Sandy” J. Adams of Richmond, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
·       Anjan Chimaladinne of Chantilly, Vice President, Udyoga LLC
·        Clyde E. Cristman of Richmond, Director, Department of Conservation and Recreation
·        Kent C. Dickey of Richmond, Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Department of Education
·       David Ihrie of Herndon, Chief Technology Officer, Center for Innovative Technology
·       Monte Johnson of Ashburn, Senior IT Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton
·       Charlie Kilpatrick, PE of Fredericksburg, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Transportation
·       Salvatore “Sam” Lupica of Richmond, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Commissioner, Virginia Employment Commission
·       Kelly Thomasson Mercer of Ashland, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth
·       Judy Napier of Richmond, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
·       Richard F. Sliwoski, PE of Richmond, Director, Department of General Services
·       Ernest F. Steidle, PhD.* of Waynesboro, Chief Operations Officer, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services 
·       David A. Von Moll of Chesterfield, State Comptroller, Virginia Department of Accounts

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority

·       Timothy D. Sands of Blacksburg, President, Virginia Tech
·       Michael R. Steed of Chevy Chase, MD, Founder and Managing Partner, Paladin Capital Group
·        Teresa A. Sullivan* of Charlottesville, President, University of Virginia

Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council

·       Kirk J. Havens, PhD.* of Plainview, Director, Coastal Watersheds Program, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary


*Denotes reappointment