HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Access to health care and food is critically important to low-income Virginians. If you rely on programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, or FAMIS, we’re working with coalitions pursuing the same goals. Likewise, if you rely on state or federal programs like SNAP, TANF, or Social Security, your access and rights are important to us.
Whether you’re in need of services or serve as a caregiver to another, we can work as advocates, trainers, or help to find representation for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and others needing health care services.
SNAP Expansion: What You Need to Know
On July 1, 2021, Virginia expanded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,…
2021 Special Session Recap: How VPLC’s Budget Priorities Fared
When the General Assembly convened for a special 2021 session, we urged…
Equitable Rescue & Recovery: VPLC Special Session Budget Priorities
The Virginia General Assembly will convene in Richmond on Monday, August 2…
PRESS RELEASE: New anti-poverty laws take effect in Virginia today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2021 The suite of new laws will…
PRESS RELEASE: Medicaid expands to cover full dental services, prenatal services regardless of immigration status
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: July 1, 2021 Medicaid expands to cover full…
PRESS RELEASE: Jill Hanken, VPLC Health Attorney to Retire, VPLC Announces Scholarship Fund in Her Honor
The Jill A. Hanken Scholarship Fund will honor Hanken’s accomplishments and build…
Aging in Place with Community Support
Given a choice, most of us would choose to ‘age in place’…
PRESS RELEASE: Thousands of Virginians are enrolling in health coverage through the ACA because of the American Rescue Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: May 13, 2021 Thousands of Virginians are enrolling…
PRESS RELEASE: USDA announces free lunches for all students through 2021-22 school year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: April 22, 2021 USDA announces free lunches for…
PRESS RELEASE: Virginia Ends 10-Year Work History Requirement for Medicaid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: April 1, 2021 Contact: William Lineberry, Marketing &…
Statement from the Virginia Poverty Law Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2021 Statement from the Virginia Poverty Law…
PRESS RELEASE: Enroll Virginia to Host Virtual Town Hall, Press Conference to Discuss the ACA Marketplace Reopening
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: February 11, 2021 Enroll Virginia to Host Virtual…
PRESS RELEASE: President Biden Reopens ACA Health Insurance Marketplace for New Open Enrollment Period
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2021 President Biden Reopens ACA Health Insurance…
PRESS RELEASE: Enroll Virginia Encourages Virginians to Sign Up for Health Coverage Before Dec. 15 Deadline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2020 Enroll Virginia Encourages Virginians to Sign…
PRESS RELEASE: Open Enrollment Ends December 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2020 Open enrollment for the Health Insurance…
New landlord-tenant laws, foster care reform, and restored driver’s licenses: new Virginia laws take effect July 1
Today, hundreds of new laws that passed during this year’s General Assembly…
This Ramadan, join us in fighting hunger in Virginia
Sunday marked the start of Ramadan, the holiest month of the year…
VPLC’s 2019 Legislative Review
With another General Assembly session behind us and the dust settled after…
More Virginia students have access to breakfast, according to 2019 School Breakfast Report
For students who come from food insecure households, school breakfast can be…
Why Governor Northam’s recent veto of health care bills is a good thing
This month, Governor Northam vetoed several bills relating to short-term limited duration…
Why Increasing TANF Matters
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded, cash…
The Costly Price of Long-Term Care
With our population aging and living longer, long-term care is growing increasingly…
Crossover Report | 2019 General Assembly
Tuesday, February 5, 2019, was “Crossover Day” in the General Assembly—the last…
Removing Barriers to SNAP for Drug Felons
HB 1891 will repeal the ban on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program…
Access to health coverage matters!
When people have access to health coverage and can take care of…
Your Mother’s Nursing Home Not Treating Her Right? Who Do You Call?
Apparently, the federal government is going to do even less than they…
Anti-Lunch Shaming Bill
By Kathleen Murphy Child Nutrition Specialist Virginia Hunger Solutions Across the…
Support William’s Christmas Wish
You’re most likely deep in holiday preparations. It’s a wonderful time of…
First RAM Clinic to Southside VA Sponsored by Healthcare Navigator
VPLC Healthcare Navigator team joins effort to bring healthcare clinic to Southside…
HAV Statement on passage of the American Health Care Act by the U.S. House of Representatives
The American Health Care Act adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives…
Virginians Need Medicaid Expansion
Jill Hanken, VPLC’s Director of Healthy Communities, letter to the editor was…
Enroll Virginia – Affordable Care Act Update
Enroll Virginia – Affordable Care Act Update The open enrollment period for…
The Bad “Welfare Bills” Bills Are Dead
Public Benefits Legislative Update This year, the leadership of the…
Action Needed – Oppose HB2213 -PLEASE CALL TODAY!
There are several very disturbing bills pending at the General Assembly that…
VPLC Opposes HB 2213
VPLC Opposes HB 2213 Because It Would Hurt The Poorest Virginia Families’ Opportunities…
Healthcare For All Virginians 2017 Platform
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL VIRGINIANS 2017 PLATFORM VPLC is part of the Healthcare…
For Many, an Issue of Life or Death
“This is a fight we must win” said VPLC Health Law Attorney Jill Hanken at…
Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins November 1st!
Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace starts November 1, 2016. However,…
Virginia Hunger Solutions Debuts School Breakfast Report with First Lady of Virginia, Dorothy McAuliffe
Virginia Hunger Solutions (VHS), a project of the Virginia Poverty Law…
Why does VPLC work so hard on health insurance issues?
Why does VPLC work so hard on health insurance issues? For…
Nearly 421,900 Virginians purchased coverage; Praise Given to VPLC/ENROLL! Virginia
A big “THANK YOU!” goes to Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Hazel. Their…
Faces of Virginia’s Coverage Gap
See the faces and read the stories of everyday Virginians’ struggle with…
Below the Poverty Line
This year, multiple legislators have introduced bills designed to increase TANF benefits;…
2015 SNAP Challenge: Reflection and Need for Action
SNAP Challenge: Final Reflections How do you afford to eat on a…
Anti-Hunger Policy Conference Postponed
The Virginia Hunger Solutions Anti-Hunger Policy Conference has been postponed. A new…
How can Virginia celebrate the Medicaid 50th anniversary? – Closing the Coverage Gap
On its 50th anniversary, it’s important to remember that the Medicaid program…
Williams: A New Children’s Hospital Must be Accessible to All
By Michael Paul Williams, Richmond Times-Dispatch Here is yet another where-to-build-it debate…
Celebrating Richmond’s Hunger-Free Schools
Last week, VPLC was honored to be a part of an event…
Grant Allows Obamacare Enrollment Help to Continue in Southwest Virginia
By Laurence Hammack, The Roanoke Times Federal officials announced new funding Monday…
Rural Enrollment Presents Continuing Health Law Challenges
By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News Americans living in rural areas will…
Thousands of Virginia Residents May Lose Insurance
By Prue Salasky, Daily Press Virginia is fourth behind Florida, Texas and…
Some Still Able to Enroll in Virginia Marketplace
By Prue Salasky, Daily Press Enrollment in health insurance through Virginia’s federally…
Number of Virginians Enrolled in Affordable Care Health Plans Has Doubled
By Laurence Hammack, The Roanoke Times A final, six-week surge in enrollment…
ACA Enrollment Deadline Passed; Peninsula Counselors Still Enrolling Exceptions
By Prue Salasky, Daily Press At midnight Tuesday, the clock officially ran…
Health Care Insurance Enrollments Tops 100,000 in Virginia
By Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch With one month to go, Virginia already…
Slow Start for Health Care Enrollment in VA, Nation
By Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginians account for slightly less than 1…
Food Stamp Challenge: Reflections on Eating for $32 a Week
Could you eat for $32 a week? Since Monday, November 4, Virginia…
Food Stamp Challenge: November 4-8, 2013
Could you eat for $32 a week? Join The Virginia Food Stamp Challenge!…
Minding the Gap
By Tina Eshleman, Richmond Magazine The health-insurance marketplaces established by the federal…
Program Will Help People Navigate ACA Marketplaces
By Tammie Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginians who want help signing up for…
Hunger Amid Plenty
By LaTonya Reed and Amy Woolard, Richmond Times-Dispatch Op-Ed Although Virginia ranks…
Jill Hanken Named to 2013 Class of “Leaders in the Law”
Virginia Lawyers Media, the publisher of Virginia Lawyers Weekly, has announced the 2013…
HHS Delivers $67 Million to Pay for Health Care Enrollment ‘Navigators’
McClatchy Newspapers After several months of delays, the Obama administration awarded $67…
Representative Bobby Scott Town Hall Meeting on the Health Care Law
Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) held a town hall information session with constituents…
Medicaid Expansion Would Fund VRS
By Jill Hanken, Richmond Times-Dispatch Letter to the Editor Editor, Times-Dispatch: You…
Virginia Near Bottom in Per Capita Spending to Promote Awareness of Health Care Law
By The Associated Press Only one state will spend less per capita…
Medicaid Expansion Costs Predicted to be Far Lower than Estimated
By Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch The administration of Gov. Bob McDonnell estimates…
Medicaid Expansion in VA Now Under Serious Review
By Ashley Monfort, NBC12 A hot button issue brought hundreds of demonstrators…
SCC Ramps Up for New Role for Health Insurance Exchange
The State Corporation Commission will assume a new role on July 1…
Medicaid Expansion-We Still Need Your Help!
Martha Harding cares for four grandchildren, who are on Medicaid. She works…
Welfare bills progress in the Virginia Senate
By Kathy Adams, The Virginian-Pilot Efforts to expand welfare eligibility, drug test…
Group: Medicaid Expansion = 30,000 Jobs + Billions to VA Economy
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service- VA Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said…
Health-care Act Bringing Exchanges Into Effect
By Amy Jeter, The Virginian-Pilot Imagine if buying health insurance was kind…
Community Conversation on Health Care Implementation in Virginia
Confused by all the talk of health care reform? Heard of the…
Refusing Expansion Would be a Costly Mistake for Virginia
The Virginia Poverty Law Center has joined with other advocacy groups to…
Food Assistance Schedule Will Change in September and October
Virginians who depend on SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to…
New Va. Law: Prenatal Care for Some Legal Immigrants Covered
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA Pregnant, low-income legal immigrants and children…
Advocates: Court Decision Huge Victory For VA Uninsured
By Dan Heyman, Public News Service Advocates of the Affordable Care Act are…
Report: $40 Million in Rebates Could Be on the Way to Virginians
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA The check could be in the mail…
Many Virginia Hospitals Offer Free & Discounted Health Services
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA Medical costs remain the nation’s No.…
PUBLIC BENEFITS LAW
Many of the problems public assistance recipients have, are the result of a lack of information or misinformation. We offer nonpartisan information about matters affecting the poor and vulnerable in our society, work with attorneys throughout Virginia to help their low-income clients, and educate people on the benefits of using these programs.
ENROLL Virginia!
Enroll Virginia is a network of community-based organizations committed to helping Virginians access high quality, affordable health coverage. Our navigators and enrollment experts are trained and certified to provide free, unbiased assistance on health insurance options available through HealthCare.gov, Medicaid, and FAMIS.