Moran Endorsed by Bristol Dem, Talks Rural Health Care

~ Commissioner of the Revenue Frye Endorses ~

BRISTOL – Brian Moran, Democratic candidate for Governor, was endorsed by Terry Frye, Bristol’s Commissioner of the Revenue today. Frye announced his support at Moran’s event at Java J’s coffee shop in Bristol. At that event, Moran also unveiled a key component of his Healthy Virginia Plan, a focus on rural health care and insuring every Virginia child.

“Brian Moran’s spent a career fighting for the people of Virginia,” Frye said. “He’s fiscally responsible and knows how to help families in these tough times. Brian has a vision for where to take this state and the experience to get it done.”

Moran will fight for every region of the Commonwealth, starting with making health care available to every single Virginia child. Moran’s “Healthy Virginians” plan expands health-care access and affordability, especially in rural areas.

“I’m proud to have Terry’s support,” Moran said. “Leaders like him know what it takes to win in rural Virginia. Access to affordable health care, especially dental care and children’s health care, is a serious challenge here. I’m dedicated to fighting for these hard working Virginians in the Governor’s office.”

Today, more than 10 percent of children in Virginia are uninsured, making Virginia 32nd out of the 50 states. Moran’s Healthy Virginia plan would put the Commonwealth in the top 10 states, making us a national leader in children’s health insurance. Over 200,000 Virginia children are uninsured.

Brian Moran’s Healthy Virginia Plan for Rural Health Care

• Address the rural health care workforce shortage. Moran’s plan provides retention incentives for providers to remain in rural communities. He will work with the community college system to train more nurses and technicians in these high-demand areas.
• Expand rural health clinics. Moran’s plan expands state support for this successful model in underserved areas so that Virginians don’t have to travel miles and miles to be seen by a doctor.
• Dental care through Medicaid. Virginia is one of very few states that leave dental care out of Medicaid coverage. Brian Moran’s plan ends that. Poor oral health has been linked to many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Moran attended the Remote Area Medical Clinic at the Wise County Fairgrounds last year and wrote an article outlining his commitment to rural health care: http://www.brianmoran.com/2008/9/26/more-must-be-done-to-provide-better-rural-health-care.

Brian Moran has a 20-year record of fighting for the people of Virginia. He was Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a Delegate from Alexandria City and Fairfax County. Prior to that, he served as a prosecutor in Arlington County.

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