Virginia Governor Northam Vetoes GOP Healthcare Bills

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has vetoed a handful of GOP-backed bills related to health care.

Northam vetoed a bill that would have allowed all groups like the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to pool their members together in a group to shop for health insurance. Supporters said it would help reduce costs.

Northam said that legislation and other Republican-backed bills he vetoed would undermine efforts to expand affordable health care. He said lawmakers could help lower rising health care costs by expanding Medicaid to 400,000 low-income adults.

The GOP-led General Assembly is currently split on whether to expand the publicly funded health care program for the poor. The disagreement has led to a lengthy delay in passing a state budget that threatens a potential state government shut down on July 1.