RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is offering moral support to Virginia House Republicans as they oppose expanding Medicaid coverage.

Pence sent a letter to House Speaker William J. Howell last week saying he supports the House GOP’s position to separate a debate on Medicaid from the state budget.

The Republican governor recently announced he is seeking a modified expansion of Medicaid that relies on federal dollars and the state’s Healthy Indiana Plan. The Virginia Senate has proposed a similar alternative Medicaid expansion plan, which the GOP-controlled House has rejected.

Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has cited Pence as a conservative capable of compromise on Medicaid issues and called on state Republicans to do the same.

In his letter, Pence said Indiana’s approach may not be the best for Virginia.

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