Gillespie Questioned On Health Care In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Republican candidate for Virginia governor Ed Gillespie has been trying to keep campaigning focused on the economy. But when he made a stop at Del Ray's Pork Barrel BBQ Tuesday, voters grilled him on Republican efforts to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, The Washington Post reported.

When asked by several voters what his stance on health care was, Gillespie said he was focused on state issues but was reviewing Republicans' federal bill.

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Gillespie told The Post he wants to see states that didn't expand Medicaid protected from cuts, premiums and out-of-pocket expenses reduced and preexisting conditions covered. The vote on the Senate health care bill was delayed until after the July 4 recess after several Republicans came out against the bill. The House passed its version in early May.

“I don’t think people should be dropped from their insurance because of developing a health condition, and we need to make it possible for people with preexisting conditions to get insurance,” Gillespie told The Post. “I’m hoping they’ll be able to address those things over recess.”

A recent Quinnipiac University poll of 1,145 Virginia voters shows the economy and health care are top issues on voters' minds. Voters favored Gillespie 42 percent to 38 percent on the economy, while Northam led 46 percent to 33 percent on health care.

Virginia is one of two governor's races in 2017. It will be one of the first statewide voter responses to the election of President Trump and Republicans' work on issues like overhauling Obamacare,

“I am interested in Obamacare and everyone voicing their concerns,” Alexandria resident Mary Lagnaoui told a reporter. “It’s funny to hear it come up in a governor’s race, but I think it should be brought up in every race.”

Image by Steve Helber/Associated Press