The Daily Progress: Albemarle Dems call out Earle-Sears as clinics close, thousands prepare to lose Medicaid

VIRGINIA  – As Winsome Earle-Sears dismisses the devastating healthcare cuts she backed and three rural clinics in the Shenandoah Valley are closing, elected leaders are highlighting how healthcare is a top issue for Virginians, but Sears “doesn't seem to care.” The Daily Progress reports: 
 
“The two Democrats who represent the Charlottesville area in the Virginia House of Delegates say health care is the No. 1 issue for their constituents — but Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, is wildly out of touch with both their constituents and their top priority.”
 
The Daily Progress: Albemarle Dems call out Earle-Sears as clinics close, thousands prepare to lose Medicaid

• The two Democrats who represent the Charlottesville area in the Virginia House of Delegates say health care is the No. 1 issue for their constituents — but Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, is wildly out of touch with both their constituents and their top priority.
• “As a member of the House of Delegates, I believe the most important part of my job is listening to the people I represent and fighting for what they need,” Del. Amy Laufer said a Tuesday press conference outside Charlottesville City Hall. "Look at Winsome Earle-Sears' extreme record, it's crystal clear that she [if] she makes it to the governor's mansion, she won't fight for Virginians."
• “I would say it's the No. 1 issue I hear about," Callsen said of health care, especially how the commonwealth will make up for federal budget cuts. "Amy and I have had town halls, I've had office hours, the No. 1 question that we are asked is health care."
• During an interview on CNN earlier this month, Earle-Sears said that “from what I understand, there are no Virginians who are going to lose their Medicaid coverage in Virginia unless that is something that they choose.”
• “People are afraid that state money will end up having to be supplanted into the federal program," Laufer said. "I did a town hall out in Shenandoah Valley, and this was the No. 1 issue we talked about. Folks are very afraid, especially in the rural areas."
• Earle Sears in July told reporters that “things are being worked out” and that there is no need to panic.
• But already, Fishersville-based Augusta Health has said it will be closing three clinics in the valley citing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• “It's clear that she does not look out for us," said Callsen. "When asked about the cuts, Sears lied and said no one is going to lose health care. It's outright insulting."
• Earle-Sears, who is hoping to succeed her boss Gov. Glenn Youngkin come January, has echoed his remarks that Democrats' estimates and projection are overblown — despite the very real impact of three Shenandoah Valley clinics closing and Medicaid estimates coming from nonpartisan, nonprofit sources.
• The Daily Progress reached out to Earle-Sears campaign to ask about her plan regarding Medicaid cuts and clinic closures, but its calls went unanswered. Her campaign website does not appear to mention either.
• Callsen and Laufer's press conference in Charlottesville was part of a broader "Real Issues" tour organized by the Virginia Democratic Party. The tour also stopped in Richmond to address the impacts the Trump administration has had on the state, Norfolk to address the impacts the Trump administration has had on veterans and Arlington to address the impacts the Trump administration has had on federal workers.

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