Virginia Republicans and a panel appointed by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) on Wednesday separately released health care proposals, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. The proposal by the governor's Health Reform Commission, which was formed last year, focuses on four areas: expanding access to care; enhancing the health care work force; improving quality, increasing transparency and promoting preventive care; and advancing long-term care. Recommendations include expanding Medicaid eligibility and establishing a limited-benefit private insurance plan for uninsured state residents. The panel recommends about $130 million in expansions and projects (Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/12). Public comments on the report will be taken until Sept. 27; the report then goes to the governor (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/13).

The Republican proposal includes encouraging hospitals to open primary care clinics near emergency departments to reduce costly emergency care, increasing support for community health centers and enhancing Medicaid benefits to give beneficiaries more control over their health care. The initiatives will be pushed by Republicans in the next General Assembly (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/12).

Virginia Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R), a member of the Health Reform Commission, said there is substantial overlap between the commission's recommendations and Republican proposals. Hamilton said, "Health care is a nonpartisan issue," adding, "It's been more an issue of having the resources to do what people want to do" (Young, Virginian-Pilot, 9/13).

The Governor's Health Reform Commission report is available online.

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