VICPP and VCV will host a news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. in the House Briefing Room on the first floor of the General Assembly. Several faith leaders who have signed a letter asking the legislature to close the coverage gap by extending health insurance to 400,000 Virginians who who cannot currently afford health insurance and are not eligible for Virginia’s Medicaid program.
Speakers will include Dr. Eli Burke, Director of Health Ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, Jeff Caruso, Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, Dr. Imad Damaj, founder of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs and professor at VCU, Rabbi Martin Beifield Jr. of Congregation Beth Ahabah, and the Rev. Dr. Jeanne Pupke, pastor of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, and the Rev. Charles Swadley, VICPP’s outgoing interim director.
It will also give VICPP an opportunity to introduce its new Executive Director, Kim Bobo, who started work this week.
VCV is the healthcare arm of VICPP, an advocacy group that brings together people of faith and the legislative process for social justice issues. VCV’s mission is to ensure all Virginians have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.