Affordable Virginia Joins New Jerusalem Ministries for Community Health and Resource Fair as Families Face Health Coverage Uncertainty
Virginia Beach, VA – On Saturday, October 10, Affordable Virginia joined New Jerusalem Ministries to hold a community health and resource fair, connecting residents with free health services and resources as families face growing uncertainty about access to affordable care.
Held at New Jerusalem Ministries in Virginia Beach, the fair offered free mammograms, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, information about diabetes and behavioral health, free haircuts, and other services.
“Our church holds events like these because we want to help our neighbors and support families in need,” said Pastor Coleman of New Jerusalem Ministries. “Everyone deserves access to health care and the resources they need to take care of themselves and their families. Recent cuts are leaving so many people unsure about their future, and we want our community to know they have somewhere to turn for help.”
The event comes as families across Virginia receive notices about changes to Medicaid and face mounting concerns about maintaining their coverage. The Republican Tax Law passed last year cut approximately $1 trillion from Medicaid, with an estimated 300,000 Virginians at risk of losing coverage. Families across Virginia are receiving notices about upcoming changes to Medicaid due to the cuts to the program, with many of those changes set to begin in January.
Meanwhile, 100,000 Virginians have been priced out of their Affordable Care Act health plans following the expiration of health care tax credits last year. Those challenges are set to deepen in 2027, when Sentara Health Plans, one of the largest marketplace providers in Hampton Roads, will raise premiums for its individual Virginia market plans by an average of 22.7%.
“Notices are going out about changes to Medicaid after Congress passed $1 trillion in cuts to the program, and people are scared,” said Joe White, an organizer with Affordable Virginia. “Families are wondering whether they will still be able to see their doctor and afford their prescriptions. Today’s fair helped connect people with resources, but families need affordable health coverage they can count on year-round.”
