While some Democratic members of Congress have criticized the unsuccessful rollout of the federal health insurance exchange website, others disagree. Calls to delay some of the requirements of the Affordable Act Care escalated when Democratic New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen wrote an open letter to President Obama after the website’s problems emerged. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, several members of Virginia’s congressional delegation say they are too quick to ask for a delay in its implementation.

Dr. Bob Holsworth

A week after a Quinnipiac poll had Democrat Terry McAuliffe with a seven-point lead over his Republican rival Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia governor’s race, the poll now says McAuliffe’s lead has dwindled by three points.  Some other polls suggest that the Democrat still has a significant lead over the Republican-with additional surveys saying that his lead is growing.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, one veteran political expert says the variation has a lot to do with who comes out to vote on election day.

Virginia’s colleges and universities may not get all—if any—of the funds they are requesting for NEW construction projects.  But the State Council for Higher Education is recommending that lawmakers make maintenance a major priority in the new biennial budget.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the Council is also recommending continued funding of “Top Jobs 21″—a major education initiative started by Governor McDonnell.

The Virginia Attorney General’s office is warning consumers that scams to entice people as they seek to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act are cropping up around the U.S.

It was also Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican candidate for governor, who was the first to challenge the Affordable Care in Act in Federal Court.  He maintains the law is unconstitutional.

Now, his office—along with the Federal Trade Commission– says in some cases, identity thieves are trying to cash-in by siphoning off personal and financial information through deceptive means.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, state officials are advising consumers to beware if they are not initiating the contact.

The number for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline is 1-800-552-9963.   

Governor McDonnell acknowledges that one of his signature campaign proposals was not a total success, but he still touting progress that’s been made in restoring the rights of non-violent felons. The Governor has told the state NAACP that while both leading gubernatorial candidates have pledged to continue this effort, it’s not enough—and now civic leaders must push lawmakers to amend the state Constitution.　Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.　

Based on the latest Quinnipiac Poll, if the election for Virginia Governor were held today, Democrat Terry McAuliffe would beat Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli by a significant margin. The spread itself isn’t different from the last Quinnipiac poll.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the survey contained the revelation that if most supporters of Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis changed their minds, the shift would not fall in Cuccinelli’s favor.

Untreated, preventable dental disease in Virginia leads to higher costs, temporary solutions, and poor health.  That’s the conclusion of a study by the General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Health Care, which especially focused on the fiscal impact to the Commonwealth.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the panel is considering policy options that might be less expensive than the status quo.

The General Assembly panel that will decide whether and how to expand Medicaid in Virginia took a look today  at the experiences of other states.  The Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission was especially interested in cost-controlling factors, aspects that worked, and mistakes to be avoided.   And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the authors of research studies that crunched the numbers also attended.

A packed room full of almost evenly divided speakers gave Virginia lawmakers an earful over how they should proceed with potentially expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, with more than 160 people signed up to speak at three minutes each, members of the “Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission” will have much to consider before they make final recommendations.

As it is in the rest of the nation, Virginia’s Latino population is growing rapidly. But some believe that while there’s a lot of talk of building a better future through education, there’s very little action that translates into real results—especially for the Latino community. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, that’s why some of the most influential educators and business leaders have gathered in Richmond for a two-day “Hispanic Workforce through Higher Education” Conference.

While Virginia has made significant strides to confront human trafficking, it’s still a growing problem—so much so that Governor McDonnell hosted the first-ever state Human Trafficking Summit. What we learned is that while Virginia—especially Northern Virginia—is still one of the largest hubs for traffickers, law enforcement is quickly gaining ground. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

When the Virginia General Assembly approved new transportation funding this year, it also allocated $2.5 billion more than VDOT’s previous six-year transportation improvement plan. That is allowing to the agency to focus aggressively on some badly needed construction projects statewide to relieve congestion, make repairs, and build new lanes. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it will also mean some headaches for motorists traveling on some of the busiest stretches of Virginia.

Mark Obenshain, Republican Candidate

Mark Herring, Democrat Candidate

The federal government shutdown provided fuel for the Democratic candidate for Attorney General to take shots at his Republican rival during their second debate.  But while GOP Senator Mark Obenshain did not distance himself from the group which Democratic Senator Mark Herring says is behind the shutdown, the Republican painted his opponent as a figurehead who lacks vision and understanding of the office of Attorney General.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

Although the federal health insurance Marketplace for small businesses has been delayed until next month, employers still have some obligations that they must meet this week under the Affordable Care Act.  That includes telling employees about the launch of the individual Marketplace, where employees MAY find coverage options through the approved plans.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the experts say the conversation should go beyond mere notification due to the law’s complexity.

 Many companies are inviting insurance agents to come speak to their employees to further explain ALL of their options both inside and outside of the Marketplace.

Enrollment is set to begin October 1st for Virginia’s new health insurance marketplace, which will be operated by the federal government. The exchange that opens this week is for individuals, while the small business program—known as “SHOP”—will open on November 1st.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, not every plan will be available everywhere in the Commonwealth.

The Virginia State Police and the DMV are highlighting a program that’s been around for some time … but because of a change in state law, it’s being extended to a growing category of motorists. Moped and motorcycle operators are now being offered a FREE accessory that police believe helps deter theft and even lowers some insurance premiums. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

A coalition of Richmond-area pastors says Richmond’s City Council is overstepping its authority by considering an ordinance that would grant benefits to spouses of city workers in same-sex marriages.  The pastors say the state Constitution is clear in its definition of a marriage being between one man and one woman—which is also as the New Testament defines it.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

While it is known as the home of freedom-loving Founding Fathers, Virginia has also had a history of undemocratic institutions and tendencies.  That was the controversial topic of a book launch and discussion hosted by the Library of Virginia.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, author and historian Brent Tarter discovered primary sources with those ideas throughout the 400 years of the Commonwealth’s history.

The State Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services is officially under investigation by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights over the state’s Auxiliary Grant program, which funds services mostly for people with disabilities and physical or mental impairments. At issue is whether or not the program’s policies are discriminatory and place unnecessary restrictions on where individuals may live in order to receive the grant funds. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner says Congress could learn a thing or two from Phyllis Galanti, the wife of former Vietnam War POW Paul Galanti. She was honored today [Friday] during a Virginia War Memorial ceremony … where she spoke about how she remained steadfast in her resolve while her husband was gone for seven-and-a-half years. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Warner weighed in on the latest dust-up in Washington. 

Virginia has recently joined other states that want to reduce distracted driving accidents by passing a ban on texting while behind the wheel. But some drivers still don’t get it and perform the act daily. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, how safety advocates can help change that was the focus of the first annual Distracted Driving Summit in Richmond.

While some political pundits say Democrat Terry McAuliffe has all but won the Virginia Governor’s race, a new Quinnipiac University Poll says Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli should not be counted out of the race yet.  In fact, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it’s a statistical dead heat between the two.

As the demand for health care services is set to expand under the federal Affordable Care Act, a new report suggests that Virginia is in short supply of those doctors needed to handle the influx of patients. The need for primary care and family practice doctors will be especially great.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the state’s Joint Commission on Health Care is looking for solutions.