(The Center Square) – Virginia agencies are being told to make it easier for eligible residents to stay enrolled in Medicaid and food assistance as new federal requirements take effect.

Executive Order 20, issued Tuesday, creates a “Keep Virginia Covered” policy for carrying out changes in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as House Resolution 1 and the Working Families Tax Cut.

The order directs the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and Department of Social Services to cut down on paperwork and other barriers where federal law gives the state flexibility.

That includes using information residents have already provided, reducing duplicate paperwork and giving clear notice before changes are made to coverage or benefits. Agencies also are directed to increase call center staffing and expand outreach.

“Washington changed the rules for Medicaid and food assistance,” Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa said. “Yes, our job is to carry out the law. But our job is also to cut down on paperwork and confusion where we can.”

More than 1.8 million Virginians are enrolled in Medicaid, while nearly 800,000 receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to Virginia Medicaid and state figures.

The federal law changes eligibility and administration of both programs, including new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients.

Virginia’s Health and Human Resources Medicaid Work Requirement dashboard, estimates 296,288 Medicaid members could be affected statewide.

Separately, the Spanberger administration projects Virginia could lose between $1.8 billion and $2.6 billion a year in federal Medicaid funding beginning in 2028.

The order says the state cannot fully replace those federal dollars.

“No combination of the tools available to the Commonwealth can close a gap of this magnitude,” the order states.

The new Medicaid work requirements do not take effect immediately. Virginia Health and Human Resources says certain adults enrolled through Medicaid Expansion will be subject to the requirements beginning Jan. 1. Members will receive information before the requirements begin.

The order follows other steps taken by the administration this summer, including health care roundtables and locality-level dashboards showing projected Medicaid impacts.

Health officials are also directed to hold virtual town halls and regional workshops and regularly publish Medicaid and SNAP enrollment data, including information on people considered at risk of losing benefits.

The state also plans to connect affected Virginians with jobs, apprenticeships, job training and education opportunities and work with health centers, free clinics, food banks and other organizations.

Virginia’s 2026-28 budget includes more than $500 million in health care-related investments tied to the federal changes. That includes $150 million for a premium assistance program, $225 million in a Federal Contingency Fund and $15 million for federally qualified health centers, free clinics and outreach.

The order requires additional public resources to be available by Oct. 1 and calls for quarterly updates on coverage losses, outreach efforts and budget effects.