Virginia to begin accepting applications for newly expanded Medicaid on Nov. 1

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) on Thursday announced that the state will begin accepting applications for its newly expanded Medicaid program on Nov. 1, with coverage set to begin on Jan. 1.

The move is another step forward for Virginia’s Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare, which has been years in the making.

{mosads}The state legislature passed Medicaid expansion in May after a years-long battle and is the result of Democratic gains made gains in last year’s state elections and enough Republican state legislators getting on board with expansion for it to pass.

The Medicaid expansion is estimated to provide coverage to up to 400,000 people.

“It is exciting and fulfilling to share in the joy that so many of our citizens express as they look forward to realizing their hope for better health,” Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey said in a statement on Thursday.

As part of a compromise with Republicans, the state is also applying for work requirements for Medicaid recipients, but that approval application to the federal government is still working its way through the process.

Democrats are hoping that there is new momentum for Medicaid expansion in some of the remaining 17 states that have so far rejected the idea.

Medicaid expansion will be on the ballot next month in Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Idaho.