Scott On Healthcare, Charlottesville Violence At Norfolk Forum

NORFOLK
Congressman Bobby Scott-D, 3rd District, held a town hall on healthcare at Norview High on Monday (Aug 14) with about 200 people in attendance.

Issues discussed by Congressman Scott at the two and a half hour event included racial violence at Charlottesville, veterans’ issues, sea level rise, and the pull out of Virginia of health insurance company Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield.

The New Journal and Guide interviewed Scott and asked for his insights on Anthem Blue Cross leaving the Commonwealth and the incident over the weekend in Charlottesville.

Scott replied, “Anthem Blue Cross dropped out of Virginia because this administration has refused to enforce the law and make the payments that are designed under the law. The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) has projected that the Affordable Care Act is stable for years to come if it is enforced. This administration has figured out how to sabotage it. And they have done that with the VISA program. This uncertainty is the exact reason Anthem listed as its reason for leaving the state.”

As for Charlottesville, Scott said, “People have made comments on how reprehensible the Alt-Right, Neo-Nazis, and racists are.

But we need to follow that up with legislation and executive actions that can bring us together, enforce civil rights, enhance opportunities for all, and make sure that voting rights are protected. Those are the kinds of things that are meaningful, not just statements because actions speak louder than words.”

By Randy Singleton
Community Affairs Correspondent