Last week, House Republicans unveiled a budget proposal that will screw over Virginians by making massive cuts to Medicaid. More than 630,000 Virginians are at risk of automatically losing coverage.

As WTKR reported this week, Virginia is one of nine states with a “trigger law” that would automatically terminate Virginia’s expansion of Medicaid if federal contributions dip below 90 percent. That means any drop in federal funding could directly result in the dis-enrollment of those covered under Medicaid expansion.

Democrats are fighting back by pushing a budget amendment that would remove the trigger law.

WTKR: 600,000+ Virginians could lose insurance coverage if Medicaid is rolled back

By: Kelsey Jones

• About 636,000 Virginians are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage if the federal government cuts funding for the entitlement program, an effort spearheaded by some GOP lawmakers.

• State lawmakers are trying to install some protections in the commonwealth. With over half a million Virginians at risk of losing Medicaid support, the stakes are high for those who rely on this essential program.

• For years, families have shared their struggles of having to choose between affording necessary medications or managing other vital expenses. One story is that of Bill Ahlman from Newport News. Although he does not qualify for Medicaid due to earning just $12 over the required threshold, he deeply empathizes with those who do rely on the program.

• Ahlman's experience highlights a troubling reality — many are forced to endure health crises due to lack of insurance.

• "For one month of insulin, it’s $335. That’s like a third of my income right there," he explained, illustrating the burden of skyrocketing healthcare costs.

• Ahlman shared that when he gets sick, he often feels he has no choice but to “tough it out” because he does not have health care coverage.

• For families on Medicaid, possible cuts to federal funding raises fears of dis-enrollment. Advocates also worry about services that are optional for states to include under Medicaid that could be on the chopping block if Virginia suddenly needs to fund a greater share of Medicaid.