HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Virginia Senator Tim Kaine traveled to Harrisonburg today, January 20, 2026, to tour the Healthy Community Healthcare Center (HCHC ) and host a roundtable discussion with Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed and center leadership to discuss rural health care.

According to data provided from the HCHC, 14,874 patients were seen in 2024 in total. 42% were on Medicaid, 17% had private insurance, and 8% had Medicare. 33% were uninsured.

The main point of the discussion was restoring federal funding to Medicaid after cuts have reportedly been made.

Kaine said that health issues are dominating discussion right now at the federal level. While he’s on recess, he puts focus on the healthcare space.

Kaine at the roundtable discussion. Photo credit: Carolynn Unger

During the discussion, Mayor Reed asked Kaine if Democrats and Republicans are working together when talking about healthcare. Kaine said that there is a fear factor because nobody wanted to cross President Donald Trump. But as he has started to force votes, he has noticed more Republicans joining.

Also, while speaking with reporters, Kaine said he supports Governor Abigail Spanberger’s announcement that Virginia will rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

“One of the great things about Virginia that was sort of not really focused on very much in the last couple of years, is we are growing in our leadership in low and no carbon energy, especially solar and offshore wind,” said Kaine.

Kaine continued by saying Virginia faces challenges like sea level rise in Hampton roads and rising energy prices.