Virginians Elect Democrat Mark Warner As Governor; Health Positions Were Endorsed by Providers

Using a "centrist, conciliatory message," Democrat Mark Warner on Nov. 6 won the Virginia governor's race, "crack[ing] the firm Republican hold on state politics," the Washington Post reports. Warner, a businessman who has never before held public office, defeated Republican Mark Earley, the state's former attorney general, 52% to 47% (Melton, Washington Post, 11/7). Proving it possible for a Democrat to win in a "state that is home to the Christian Coalition, the National Rifle Association, and profound anti-tax sentiment," USA Today reports that Warner moved to the "middle" on abortion, guns and taxes (Lawrence, USA Today, 11/7). While health care issues, apart from abortion, played only a small role in the gubernatorial race, Warner was able to secure an endorsement from 400 state doctors and nurses for his positions on health care issues (Melton, Washington Post, 10/25).

Abortion and Women's Health
Earley "consistently" opposed abortion rights as a legislator and as attorney general and has aired television ads in rural Virginia criticizing Warner for "opposing any new abortion restrictions" (Melton, Washington Post, 10/20). Warner, however, "defi[ed] party orthodoxy" and pledged not to roll back abortion curbs passed in the last eight years (Lewis, Associated Press, 11/7). Warner Press Secretary Amanda Crumely said that Warner supports "existing statutory limits" on abortion, which include parental notification and a 24-hour "waiting period" for all abortions, but "does not support further restrictions." Crumely added that the Earley ads "clearly attempt[ed] to mislead voters by suggesting Mark Warner is opposed to parental involvement, and that is simply not true" (Melton, Washington Post, 10/20). Warner has also proposed the development of a woman's health initiative through the Virginia Department of Health to improve data collection on the health status of Virginia women. He has said that women should have access to a number of services, including cancer and osteoporosis screening and prenatal care (Warner, "Action Plan for Virginia," 2001).

Children, Seniors
Warner, who has "created regional venture capital funds and innovative health and education programs," is a "master of doing well by doing good," USA Today reports (Lawrence, USA Today, 11/7). In the past, Warner helped to establish the Virginia Health Care Foundation to provide health care services to underserved state residents in rural and urban areas (Whitley, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10/21). He also developed SeniorNavigator, a Web site that provides health care information for seniors (www.Issues2001.org). In addition, Warner proposed the development of a community-based plan to help seniors purchase prescription drugs ("Action Plan for Virginia," 2001). He also said he hopes to establish a new Virginia Cabinet position to coordinate services for seniors, including health care services (Timberg, Washington Post, 9/25). During the campaign, Warner called for increased efforts to enroll the 50,000 eligible low-income Virginia children who lack health insurance in the state's CHIP program (Fleming, Roanoke Times, 10/20). Earley proposed spending an additional $4.8 million on prescription drug program for seniors (Timberg, Washington Post, 10/29). Earley also said he would spend additional funds to expand the not-for-profit Pharmacy Connect initiative, a state-funded pilot program that helps patients locate discounted prescription drugs offered by pharmaceutical companies ( AP/Roanoke Times, 9/25).

Other Health Issues
Both Earley and Warner proposed reforms to the state's mental health care system. Calling mental health a "top priority," Earley said he would boost funding for Virginia's mental health system to eliminate waiting lists, provide community-based care, improve the quality of state facilities and offer respite care ( www.MarkEarley.com). Warner also proposed reforms to the mental health system, specifically measures to improve access for children and shift services to a community-based system ("Action Plan for Virginia," 2001). He also plans to use the federal Ticket to Work & Workforce Incentive Investment Act to help Virginia provide Medicaid coverage to disabled residents in the workforce (www.MarkWarner2001.org). Warner also proposed scholarship, loan repayment and tax incentive programs to attract more individuals to the nursing profession ("Action Plan for Virginia," 2001).