Today marks the 60th anniversary of Medicaid—a program that provides essential health care to millions of Virginians and is now a cornerstone of our health care system. As of July 15, 2025, a total of 1,878,592 Virginians are directly supported by the Virginia Medicaid program. That number includes children, pregnant people, seniors, people with disabilities, and working adults—all of whom rely on Medicaid for access to care, stability, and dignity.
Thanks to tireless advocacy from Virginia Poverty Law Center and our partners, Medicaid has become more robust and equitable over the years.
We’re proud of the progress made:
- Expanded coverage for pregnant and postpartum Virginians has helped improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
- Dental coverage for both children and adults is now part of the Medicaid benefit package.
- And thanks to Medicaid expansion, more than 570,000 low-income Virginians now have coverage they can count on.
But even as we celebrate this milestone, we know Medicaid’s future is at risk. Deep federal funding cuts have been signed into law and new barriers like work reporting requirements are on the horizon. The program that has supported generations of Virginians now faces its most serious threats in decades.
That’s why we’re marking this anniversary not only with celebration, but with action.
We’re collecting stories, photos, videos, and testimonials from Medicaid members, providers, and supporters across Virginia to highlight what Medicaid has made possible—and why it must be protected.
Whether you’ve navigated the system as a provider, benefited from Medicaid coverage yourself, or simply believe that health care is a human right—your voice matters. Help us show policymakers, the media, and the public why Medicaid must be strengthened for future generations.
Together, let’s ensure that the next 60 years of Medicaid are even stronger, more inclusive, and more impactful than the first.
Thank you for standing with us—and with every Virginian who counts on Medicaid.
Deepak Madala is the Director of the Center for Healthy Communities and the Enroll Virginia program at Virginia Poverty Law Center.
