Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 20, establishing a "Keep Virginia Covered" policy directing the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to protect health coverage and food assistance for as many eligible Virginians as possible amid changes to Medicaid and SNAP under the federal law known as H.R. 1, the governor's office said.
More than 1.8 million Virginians are enrolled in Medicaid and nearly 800,000 are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to the governor's office. The order is meant to prevent gaps in coverage, improve statewide coordination, promote economic mobility, and prioritize affordability as the state responds to the federal changes.
"In the wake of deep federal cuts that are driving up health insurance premiums, closing rural hospitals, and making it harder for Virginians to see their doctor, I'm committed to doing everything I can to protect Virginians," Spanberger said.
The order sets goals for executive agencies, including keeping every Virginian who remains eligible for Medicaid or SNAP enrolled and covered, minimizing administrative barriers to enrollment and renewal where federal law allows state discretion, providing economic mobility and workforce resources, offering alternative coverage options where feasible, and building public-private partnerships to help fill funding gaps.
H.R. 1 is projected to threaten Medicaid coverage for more than 300,000 Virginians and cuts the national Medicaid program by a trillion dollars over the next decade, according to the governor's office, which estimates Virginia will lose $1.8 billion to $2.6 billion in federal funding per year beginning in 2028 — a figure it says could triple under new rules proposed by the Trump administration.
Virginia's 2026-2028 budget includes more than $500 million to strengthen the state's health care system in response, including $150 million for a new premium assistance program to help Virginians afford Marketplace coverage, $225 million for a Federal Contingency Fund, and $15 million to support federally qualified health centers, free clinics and outreach workers.