Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter discusses the impacts that Congressional Republican-led Medicaid cuts will have on Virginians and their families; I focus here specifically on those suffering with addiction issues, share a new effort by my office to connect with community members, and highlight select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed. 

Medicaid Cuts Will Harm Virginians Suffering with Addiction

As I have shared in previous newsletters and through a variety of press conferences, the looming prospect of federal cuts to Medicaid will have a disastrous impact on Virginia, given the structure of Medicaid Expansion in Virginia and its concurrent “trigger” law.

A Congressional Republican has stated on the record how the Trump/Musk administration, supported by Republicans in Congress, plan to drastically reduce federal funding for Medicaid by $880 million. They will achieve their goals by directly targeting Medicaid expansion and automatically stripping millions of Americans of their health care. Virginia is one of 12 states whose "trigger" law for Medicaid expansion is linked to federal funding levels. Enacted in 2018, this provision stipulates that if federal funding for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, even if by just 1%, the program's expansion will automatically end in Virginia, and those covered under expansion would immediately lose vital healthcare coverage. In Virginia, over 630,000 vulnerable individuals (the elderly, those with disabilities, and children) stand to lose health care. House Republicans in Congress have already passed a budget that strips away this $880 million and transfers it to tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and large corporations.

Specifically in terms of substance abuse treatment, Medicaid is the largest payer for addiction treatment in the United States, with roughly 1 million Medicaid enrollees depending on the program for addiction care. Covered services include access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder, support from peer recovery specialists, in- and out-patient treatment services, and mental health counseling. 

In the Commonwealth, 36,000 Virginians are able to receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder through Medicaid, and of that number, 70% have coverage under Medicaid expansion. Over 25,000 Virginians receiving treatment for opioid use disorder will automatically lose their health care if funding for Medicaid expansion is cut by even 1%. 

I joined representatives from SAARA, The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, Real Life, and Protect Our Care to sound the alarm on how Congressional Republicans’ budget cuts will harm Virginians suffering from addiction.

Mobile Office Hours 

This summer, my office is hosting Mobile Office Hours throughout Senate District 15. Staff will be able to assist with casework involving state agencies, discuss legislative concerns, and receive feedback from constituents on issues that matter to them. The first remote office hours will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at Broad Rock Library in the City of Richmond from 5:00PM until 6:30PM. Registration is open. ¿Necesita servicios en español? Haga clic aquí. Future mobile office hours will be announced in this newsletter, as well as on my Facebook, Instagram, and X. 

Select Community Engagements

Last Monday evening, I joined the Hanover County community to honor the legacy of the eight courageous Hanover individuals, known as the Hanover 8, who defied segregated schools and challenged the injustices enabled by the state’s Massive Resistance policies of the time. The eight students' fight for integration came ten years after the 1953 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision deeming state-sponsored segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional. This crucial piece of our Commonwealth’s history will now be on display at Mechanicsville High School, so that future generations will continue to learn about their remarkable resilience.  

Last Tuesday, Earth Day, my Chief of Staff joined in the City of Richmond's celebration of Cool the City campaign—a collaboration between City government agencies and community nonprofits focused on increasing Richmond’s urban tree canopy and investing in our green workforce.

On Wednesday morning, I joined the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association’s legislative breakfast to share a 2025 General Assembly Session update on our continued progress on the constitutional amendments, voting rights, health care, criminal justice reform, and much more. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue advancing and reimagining new ways to address these pressing issues. 

Later that afternoon, I joined Former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Former Delegate David Ramadan, and George Mason University’s Mercatus Center for an affordable housing round table with other state legislators and housing organizations. Our conversation centered on policy options to tackle the housing shortage through a variety of policy and resource development measures. Addressing this critical issue requires the support of groundbreaking solutions, including my Faith in Housing legislation, which empowers faith communities and other nonprofits to build affordable housing on their properties.    

Shortly after, I traveled to Roanoke for a Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidates forum to share my vision for a Virginia where everyone can thrive. I am grateful to all the amazing organizers of Red Wine & Blue and the Roanoke Valley Democratic Women for organizing this important event. A recording of the forum is available. 

On Thursday, I was delighted to join the Hanover County Democrats' 16th annual Blue Moon Bash celebration to share our momentum and progress in the campaign for Lieutenant Governor.

On Friday, I presented a Senate Commending Resolution to community members recognizing the historic Hickory Hill School. Established circa 1869, Hickory Hill served as a cornerstone for education and workforce training for Black students in Chesterfield County for nearly a century. A Rosenwald School, Hickory Hill is now recognized as a historic site in Virginia; the preservation efforts were driven by community members, alumni of the institution, and dedicated historians who understand the tremendous value of preserving history for future generations. This resolution, now housed in the Hickory Hill Community Center, serves as a reminder of this rich history.

Later that evening, I traveled to beautiful Natural Bridge to join the Rural Caucus Democrats' Rural Retreat. Our vast Commonwealth requires us to understand and address the unique needs of all communities; our rural communities face unique challenges in areas of health care access, economic development opportunities, affordable housing, and more. As Lieutenant Governor, I will fight to represent the voices of these communities effectively.

On Saturday, I joined members of Richmond City Council and School Board, as well as community members from across Richmond, for Mayor Avula’s Day of Service and Celebration. Mayor Avula has made it a priority of his administration to bring together communities across Richmond to collaborate and collectively create positive change.

Later on Saturday evening, I traveled to Charlottesville for a “Where’s John McGuire?” town hall hosted by Charlottesville Indivisible. Communities across the Commonwealth are calling on our Congressional Delegation to meet with constituents, share what is happening in Washington, and demonstrate how they are fighting for programs that assist Virginians in the wake of disastrous cuts to jobs and funds under the Trump/Musk administration. Unfortunately, the Republican members of our Virginia Congressional Delegation have failed to answer these vital questions or meet with constituents.

On Sunday, I joined community members of the Sikh Center of Virginia to celebrate Vaisakhi Mela, a lively festival celebrating the Sikh New Year and highlighting Virginia’s Punjabi communities. Our Commonwealth’s South Asian community continues to expand and its contributions to public service, business, medicine, education, and more continue to enrich Virginia.

While I was on the road, my staff joined the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), mourning the more than 6 million lives taken by profound evil and honoring those who survived. Winners of the 2025 Carole Weinstein Prizes for Tolerance and Justice in the Visual Arts were also honored on this occasion.

This past Monday, I was pleased to join the Prince Edward County Democratic Committee to share the critical opportunity we have to move our Commonwealth forward despite the disasters in Washington and how I will bring tangible results as Lieutenant Governor.

Shortly after that meeting and on the road, I joined the Fairfax Democrats’ Environmental Committee to share my legislative and advocacy record on environmental concerns as I have served in the Virginia Senate for these past six years. This record includes passing the Environmental Justice Act, protecting the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and the Clean Cars Act, re-instating Virginia into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and more.

This Tuesday, I met with the Liberal Women of Chesterfield County for the group’s weekly meeting. As the country remains in a state of daily shock from Trump/Musk harmful policies, engaging with groups and organizations helps us to be focused on responding and protecting our communities.

Later Tuesday evening, I joined wonderful supporters and elected colleagues in Alexandria to share my priorities as Virginia's next Lieutenant Governor and discuss the momentum behind our campaign across the Commonwealth.

Last evening I joined REPRO Rising Virginia for their Reproductive Freedom Legislative Wrap-Up and Scorecard Reveal. I discussed the importance of the Virginia Right to Contraception Act, legislation I have championed in the Senate for the past two sessions, to enshrine the right to contraception within our Code. It now waits for the Governor's signature.

Connecting With My Office

My office can be reached at the following:

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone:  804.698.7515

If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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