Virginia expands Medicaid access for legal immigrants

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Thousands of permanent residents in Virginia will qualify for Medicaid due a new rule that eliminates the 10-year work history requirement. The requirement is known as the “40-quarter rule,” according to the Virginia Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit group that advocates for low-income Virginians. The commonwealth was one of six states with a 10-year work history requirement for Medicaid. Gov. Ralph Northam and state legislators approved a budget last year that eliminated the rule. The change went into effect this month.  Northam’s line budget amendment includes $4.4 million in state funds for this change, according to the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

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