Health care changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) are expected to cause an estimated 260,000 Virginians to lose their Medicaid coverage due to the bill’s federal funding cuts and stricter eligibility rules, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The drastic reduction of Medicaid coverage has broad ramifications for everyone across the state, not just those who rely on Medicaid.
Virginia health systems are working with patients to prepare for Medicaid cuts
In a recent FFXNow article, Northern Virginia health care organizations describe walking “a fine tightrope” when it comes to informing Medicaid beneficiaries of upcoming program changes while avoiding premature alarm, recognizing that many of OBBB’s Medicaid provisions won’t take effect until late 2026 or 2027:
- “‘Our top priority remains ensuring that all Fairfax County residents eligible for Medicaid continue to have access to this vital resource, which supports the health and well-being of our community,’ a county spokesperson said. ‘… We are committed to doing everything we can to support eligible residents in accessing medical coverage they need.’”
- “In Fairfax County, more than 200,000 residents rely on Medicaid for critical medical and mental health services, county staff say. … Fairfax saw a 45% surge in its Medicaid caseload from February 2020 to April 30, 2024, staff with the county’s Department of Family Services (DFS) reported in June 2024.”
- “Fairfax County is projected to lose more than $3.6 billion in funding by 2034 as the federal government reduces spending on Medicaid, according to an analysis by the advocacy group Voices for Virginia’s Children.”
One rural Virginia resident worries for her health under Medicaid cuts
In an article by USA Today, rural Virginia resident Penny Blue explains how a nearby health center saved her life—and shares her fears around continued health care access, especially in rural communities, following federal Medicaid cuts:
- “Penny Blue was walking up the stairs of her Union Hall, Va. home in 2013 when a blood vessel burst in her brain. … After sitting down and calling an ambulance she was quickly on her way to the closest hospital 15 minutes away, where she was stabilized. … If the same thing happened again, Blue might not be so lucky.”
- “If the rural hospital down the road were to close, the closest hospital would be at least an hour away in Roanoke. The 65-year-old said she has looked at the statistics of what her chances of survival and quality of life would be if she had to go that far. They aren’t good.”
- “Her concerns are not idle. Rural hospitals like the one near her were already struggling financially … But the GOP tax and spending bill signed into law July 4 has made their problems far worse, hospital executives and health care experts say, and will likely speed up closures nationwide.”
- “Blue, who shows no outward signs of how close she came to death more than a decade ago, is frustrated by politicians who tell people in rural communities not to worry about the hospitals and clinics that could close because of their decision. ‘(Don’t) tell someone that has an aneurysm not to panic … when every second counts,’ Blue said.”
Policymakers must take steps to protect access to coverage and essential health care services for the patients and communities who rely on Medicaid. For more information on Medicaid’s vital role, visit https://modernmedicaid.org/.