ALAN SUDERMAN
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican legislative leaders are scheduling a special session in September to debate whether to expand Medicaid eligibility, something GOP lawmakers have already made clear they oppose.

House Speaker William J. Howell and Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment announced Wednesday the General Assembly will be back into session during the week of Sept. 22.

They said the special session was a fulfillment of promises Republicans made during a months-long budget impasse earlier this year to give a full and fair debate to Medicaid expansion, which both Howell and Norment said they continue to oppose.

Most Republicans oppose expanding Medicaid, while Gov. Terry McAuliffe and most Democratic lawmakers support it. The governor has vowed to try and expand federally funded healthcare for the poor without legislative approval.

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