June 26, 2023

Neighbors, 

Happy summer to all of our Fairfax County Public School students, families, teachers, and staff! My kids are so lucky to have such wonderful teachers, and we made some shirts to thank them for a truly terrific school year. I wish everyone a safe and fun summer!

Congratulations to all of the candidates who won last week’s primary elections! Thank you to everyone who stepped forward to run for office and all voters who took the time to cast their ballot. If you would like to see the results from Tuesday’s elections, the Virginia Public Access Project has a roundup of results.

 

In this newsletter, I’ve included information about the following:

  • One Year Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

  • Community Updates

    • Orange Hunt Purple Star Resolution

    • Japan-Virginia Night 2023

  • Legislative Updates

    • Refugee Empowerment Award

    • Medicaid Unwinding

  • Transportation Updates

    • Free VRE on Fridays

    • Metro Fares for Low-Income Riders

As always, let me know if you have questions or need assistance by calling my office at (804) 698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

 

Best, Kathy

 

Kathy KL Tran

Delegate

 

One Year Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

Saturday marked the one year anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning Roe vs. Wade and removing the federal constitutional right to abortion care.

 

Since then, states across the country have passed restrictions on abortion access, affecting 25 million women and girls. Just a few weeks ago, Virginia became the last state in the South still protecting the right to choose for millions of people here and across the region.


Community Updates
Orange Hunt Purple Star Resolution

Congratulations to Orange Hunt Elementary School for being named a Purple Star School! Before the school year ended, I presented them with a commendation from the General Assembly celebrating their commitment to our community’s military-connected families.


Japan-Virginia Night 2023

My daughters and I had a wonderful experience celebrating the ties between Japan and Virginia at Japan-Virginia Night 2023, hosted by Ambassador Tomita. We enjoyed the beautiful performances by Shenandoah University Conservatory Music program and the Virginia Union University Gospel Music Choir.


Legislative Updates

Refugee Empowerment Award

I came to the United States as a child refugee, and it meant so much to me to be recognized with the “Inspirational Lawmaker for Refugee Empowerment” award at Church World Services’ Virginia Refugee Day. Refugees enrich our Commonwealth in so many ways, and I will always proudly stand with them.


Medicaid Unwinding

As required by the federal government, all states are now engaging in “Medicaid unwinding” – through this process, all individuals covered under Medicaid must have their eligibility re-assessed. This process was waived while the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 was in place.

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has begun to re-determine individuals’ eligibility for Medicaid. Those who are no longer eligible for the program will be unenrolled. Someone may be unenrolled due to procedural reasons, such as they did not turn in required paperwork, to reasons that make them no longer eligible for the program, such as they have moved or have a higher income.

I share health care advocate concerns that people do not lose coverage unnecessarily. For example, through May 30, 2023, more than 5,000 children have been unenrolled from Medicaid. Unfortunately, their reasons for no longer being eligible for coverage are unclear.

I have encouraged DMAS to publicly make available additional data about the reasons why individuals who are no longer enrolled in the program and to conduct outreach to vulnerable communities, such as people whose primary language is not English, to reduce the loss of health care coverage. 

You can learn more about Medicaid unwinding by visiting DMAS’s website. DMAS also has an eligibility redetermination tracker on their website to display updates.

If you or someone you know receives correspondence from DMAS saying your determination has changed and you have questions, please feel free to contact my office. We are here to help through this transition.


Transportation Updates

Free VRE on Fridays

Ride the train for free! The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) announced that until September 1, the VRE will be free on Fridays. For more information, visit the VRE website.


Reduced Metro Fares for Low-Income Riders

Metro launched “Metro Lift,” a program to offer a 50 percent discount on Metrorail and Metrobus fares to eligible riders.


To enroll in the program, you must be a Virginia, DC, or Maryland resident and qualify for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Learn more information and see if you are eligible on Metro Lift’s website.