Dueling health care reform events in Richmond

Today (Wednesday) Virginia Republicans and Democrats will draw stark distinctions about where the two sides sit in the raging national debate over health care reform.

This afternoon Governor Bob McDonnell will sign into law the “Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Legislation”. The bill was passed with bi-partisan support by the General Assembly during this past legislative session. It attempts to make mandated health insurance illegal in Virginia. The mandate is a key part in President Barack Obama‘s health care reform plan. The new law is also a cornerstone of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli‘s lawsuit against the federal government regarding the implementation of the health care plan.

A few hours prior to the Governor’s event, The Democratic Party of Virginia will hold a press conference designed to attack the Attorney General’s legal action. The event will feature, Sen. Don McEachin (who I spoke to about this issue on Monday) and Del. Jennifer McClellan as well as “Virginia taxpayers affected by health care legislation”. Not surprisingly, even though many Democrats in both houses supported the bill McDonnell is set to sign, both McEachin and McClellan did not.

These two events perhaps best demonstrate the great divide on this issue. There is not much middle ground and both parties seem to be running to the safe ground of their motivated bases.

We will have complete coverage of the dueling events tonight on NBC12 News start on First at 4. I will also have more later here on Decision Virginia.

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