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1998 SESSION

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(HB1074)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

    Pursuant to § 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I am vetoing House Bill 1074.

    HB 1074 would implement a children's health care program through the largest expansion of Medicaid in Virginia history. This bill is identical to SB 433, which I vetoed on April 16, 1998.

    I have provided the General Assembly numerous opportunities to adopt a private insurance plan, which costs less, covers more children, and would not expand welfare assistance. Additionally, I submitted a private insurance plan for consideration as an alternative to HB 1074. The General Assembly, however, failed to adopt this plan.

    I remain convinced that a private insurance plan is superior to the sweeping Medicaid expansion embodied in HB 1074 and SB 433. Regardless of any difference of opinion as to the proper health insurance plan, the children of Virginia must not go without benefit of health care resulting from lack of insurance coverage.

    Accordingly, although I am returning this bill without my signature, I will immediately begin to implement a children's health insurance program that is legally consistent with the provisions of the 1998 Appropriations Act.