‘State of Working Virginia’ report released

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Many Virginians are working laborious however are nonetheless having a tough time making ends meet.

“For these of us who care about poverty, care about our neighbors, we should care about wages, advantages and dealing situations for Virginia’s staff,” Virginia Interfaith Heart for Public Coverage Govt Director Kim Bobo mentioned.

Bobo says most economically poor households within the commonwealth wrestle to get out of the crimson.

“Among the most vital enhancements for staff embrace Medicaid growth, which primarily assisted staff and their households in low-wage jobs, elevating the minimal wage, which has raised wages for a number of 100,000 staff,” she mentioned.

Bobo says Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a invoice that improves Virginia’s earned revenue tax credit score. She believes it is a step in the best route, however extra must be carried out.

“We have to increase wages, particularly for these within the lowest paid jobs, elevated assist for working folks setting requirements for paid sick days, and paid depart persevering with growth on well being care entry,” Bobo mentioned.

“Medicaid growth was and continues to be a lifeline for folks,” Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Evaluation Deputy Director of Coverage Freddy Mejia mentioned. “Virginia lawmakers nonetheless have labored to make sure elevated and continued entry to well being care protection for Virginia staff.”

Mejia says almost 680,000 adults have well being protection in the present day due to Medicaid growth.

“The uninsured price for non-elderly adults in Virginia has dropped from 12.7% in 2018 to eight.2% in 2021. That’s the affect of public coverage on working households throughout the commonwealth,” he mentioned.

Click on right here for the total report.

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