Affordable Health Care

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 

A friend of mine of moderate political persuasion said to me recently that while he felt that details of managing the federal Affordable Health Care Act were issues of governance that should continue to be debated and improved, he also felt that passage of the Act was a moral issue that should not be reversed.  As a New York Times editorial stated last month (June 29, 2012), "So the law that the Supreme Court upheld is an act of human decency that is also fiscally responsible.  It's not perfect, by a long shot - it is, after all, originally a Republican plan, devised long ago as a way to forestall the obvious alternatives of extending Medicare to everyone...And there will be a long struggle to make it better, just as there was for Social Security...But it's still a big step toward a better - and by that I mean morally better - society."

Despite the rapidly broadening positive opinion of the morality of the Affordable Care Act, there continues to be acts on the part of legislators to do in its provisions.  Less than two weeks ago Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Act.  That is the 33^rd such vote against ensuring that residents of the richest nation on earth would have access to affordable health care, that their pre-existing conditions be covered, and that insurance not be subject to cancellation. 

Equally as concerning as those who would repeal the Act are those who would drag their feet on its implementation.  Some who oppose the Act want to wait until the November election to see if the President can be defeated and if Congress can be changed in the Senate to repeal the Act.  I am urging Governor McDonnell to call a special session of the General Assembly to set up an insurance exchange and to expand Medicaid.  The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis found in its study that expansion of Medicaid in Virginia would be a lifesaver for hundreds of thousands of Virginians, a real bargain for the Commonwealth, and a much needed boost to Virginia's economy.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, expansion of Medicaid will actually reduce state and local government costs for uncompensated care that is already provided to the uninsured.  The Urban Institute estimates that overall state savings in the areas of uncompensated care would be between $26 and $52 billion from 2014 to 2020.

Already the Affordable Care Act that is referred to in the political arena as Obamacare has already helped those Virginians who are among the 17 million children nationally with pre-existing conditions who can no longer be denied coverage by insurance, the 6.8 million young adults up to age 26 who have taken advantage of the law to obtain health insurance through their parents' plan, and the 86 million Americans, including 32 million seniors in Medicare, who have already received free preventative services.  Now it is time to finish the job in Virginia.  As the New York Times editorial expressed it, "For almost all of us stand to benefit from making America a kinder and more decent society."

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Coming Soon

Don't forget Virginia's annual Sales Tax Holiday Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5.  This is a great time for back to school shopping.  Virginia sales tax will be suspended on approved school supplies $20 each or less and clothing and footwear $100 each or less.  Visit www.tax.virginia.gov for a complete listing.

One Million Virginians Sign Up for DMV's Electronic Notifications

One million Virginians have signed up to receive notices from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) via email, text, or phone message since this option became available in 2010.  Each piece of U.S. mail not processed by DMV saves 59 cents in printing, processing, and postage, enabling the million customers to save our Commonwealth $590,000.  Customers sign up to receive electronic renewal notices for vehicle registrations (decals) and driver's licenses by creating a myDMV account at www.dmvNOW.com/myDMV.  Using a personal identification number (PIN), customers check a box indicating they want to receive decal renewal notices via email, phone, or text message, and they can also manage their DMV records without visiting an office.  With a myDMV account, customers see all of their DMV information on one page including when their driver's license and decals expire, and their safe driving points.  Customers may access their myDMV account using a social security number or DMV customer number.

Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteers

The Meals on Wheels program urgently needs volunteers throughout the county to deliver meals to older adults and adults with disabilities.  Summer is especially critical since regular drivers are away on vacation.  Meals on Wheels volunteers may choose to drive weekly, biweekly, monthly, or be a substitute.  Meals are generally delivered Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Please call 703.324.5406 if you can volunteer.

New Express Lanes Map Available Online

Wondering how the new Express Lanes are going to work on I-495, the Beltway?  Check out http://495expresslanes.com/using-the-lanes to see a map of where you will be able to get on and off and the directions for using the lanes.

Auxiliary Police Officers Wanted

Fairfax County's Police Department needs volunteers to be Auxiliary Police Officers (APO).  They play a vital role in supplementing the sworn personnel in essential public safety operations.  Volunteers perform a myriad of duties such as staffing sobriety checkpoints, protecting the integrity of crime scenes, and deployment to natural or manmade disasters.  Once they pass a rigorous background check, they are required to undergo training at the Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly two evenings a week and a few Saturdays a month to begin in January 2013.  Applicants must be: at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, in good health, and pass background investigations.  To learn more about the APO program or to request an application, call 703280.0576 or email AuxiliaryPolice@FairfaxCounty.gov. 

Seniors On-the-Go!

Seniors On-the-Go! is Fairfax County's discount taxi voucher program for seniors who are:

* 65 years of age or older

* Residents of Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax

* Have an annual income of $40,000 or less as an individual or $50,000 or less as a married couple

Participants are eligible for sixteen $33 discounted coupon booklets a year at a cost of $20 each.  Participants can register for the program by filling out an application that can be obtained by calling 703.877.5800, TTY 711.