The General Assembly has approved Medicaid expansion with the requirement that the Department of Medical Assistance Services reform the program first, but Gov. McDonnell has stated that he does not want it to be expanded.

Due to a disability, I rely on Medicare and Medicaid for my health care. I used to qualify for Medicaid with my income, but there was a cost-of-living adjustment so my disability check went up, and now I make $3 too much per month to qualify for Medicaid because the requirements for the Medicaid program weren't adjusted in accordance with the increase in cost of living.

Now I must complete a spend-down twice a year to keep Medicaid. This means that twice a year I must spend $2,779 on medical expenses before Medicaid will take over my expenses. This is almost 60 percent of my annual income that I must accrue in debt before I can qualify to get the medical coverage I rely on.

If Medicaid were expanded, I would not have to do spend-downs. So many Virginians like me and others who currently do not have health insurance at all would benefit from expanded Medicaid. Please write or call Gov. McDonnell to urge him to expand Medicaid in Virginia.

Tracy Ringquist

Spotsylvania