PAF, Sen Tim Kaine Host Roundtable on Health Care Costs
Tim Kaine (D-VA) visits Patient Advocate Foundation
January 21, 2026 (Hampton, VA) – Along with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Patient Advocate Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion today with patients, advocates and health care executives focusing on federal health care cuts and the real effects they have on patients and families.
“We hear from people every day who are being crushed by medical costs. Federal cuts, like eliminating the ACA premium tax credits, make their lives even harder. We’re so thankful to Senator Kaine for being a bipartisan advocate for the patients and families who need help the most,” said Alan Balch, PhD, chief executive officer of the Patient Advocate Foundation and the National Patient Advocate Foundation.
“I was glad to join the National Patient Advocate Foundation for a health care roundtable and hear directly from Virginians about the importance of programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to their lives and well-being,” said Kaine. “I will take these valuable insights with me to Washington as I continue to fight to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits and lower health care costs.”
Nationwide, about 22 million people receive tax credits through the Marketplace. In Virginia, for plan year 2025, over 388,000 people enrolled in a Marketplace plan; of these, more than 86% received an Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) that reduced the cost of their monthly premiums.
Despite the high number of people who will be negatively affected, Congress allowed the APTCs to expire at the end of 2025.
During the roundtable discussion, Senator Kaine heard from Christi Rose, a parent whose son receives care through the Medicaid program.
“Without Medicaid, Adrian wouldn’t have access to the medical supplies, nursing care, and procedures that are essential for his survival. Medicaid has made it possible for him to get the services he needs—services that have helped him make incredible strides in his recovery. Adrian’s journey is a powerful reminder of why Medicaid is so necessary. It’s not just a program—it’s a lifeline for children like him who have disabilities and medical complexities,” she told the senator.
Joining the discussion were also:
- Gaylene C. Kanoyton, health care advocate, Celebrate Healthcare, LLC
- Iris J. Lundy, RN, director of health equity, Sentara Healthcare
- Daphne A. Cunningham, PhD, executive director, Hampton–Newport News Community Services Board
- Josh Adler, owner, Adler Therapy Group (Outpatient PT/OT/Speech Therapy)
- Angela Futrell, chief executive officer, Southeastern Virginia Health System
- Debbie Campbell, senior director, Community Health & Engagement Services, Riverside Health
About Patient Advocate Foundation: PAF is a national 501c3 charity that provides free case management services, financial assistance and educational resources to people with a diagnosed, chronic or debilitating condition in the United States.
About National Patient Advocate Foundation: As Patient Advocate Foundation’s charitable 501(c)(3) advocacy affiliate, NPAF advances policies that are important to patients and caregivers in healthcare reform. This includes specific steps to preserve financial stability alongside medical and mental health in the context of coping with complex and chronic conditions.