Strong support for this plan

I am delighted to add my voice to those of the many supporters of this plan.  The extension of health insurance coverage to uninsured members of state employees’ households will be beneficial and is long overdue.  Costs of the plan will be borne by the individuals covered, not by state agencies, so there will be no cost to the Commonwealth.  On the contrary, there will be important gains for all Virginians.  Many different kinds of families may want to add coverage for a qualified adult, who might be a young adult child or an elderly relative.  Moreover, all Virginians will benefit when families pay for health care coverage for their eligible relative, rather than having the bill paid by the public purse.  The plan will also allow Virginia to recruit and retain the best available employees for state jobs.  This is another of the many ways in which the plan will benefit all of us who live and work in the Commonwealth.  The changes envisioned in this plan will help many and hurt nobody;  it should be put into action without delay.

Charlotte J. Patterson