5 Reasons Why North Carolina Must Expand Medicaid

North Carolina Democrats have proposed a bill to expand Medicaid in North Carolina. This is a top priority for Governor Cooper, legislative Democrats, and the North Carolina Democratic Party. Here’s why:

1. It will help half a million North Carolinians access affordable health care coverage.

Over 500,000 North Carolinians make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford health insurance. Expanding Medicaid will close that coverage gap.

2. It’s good for our economy.

Expanding Medicaid would invest $4 billion into our economy and create 43,000 jobs. And the proposal is simple. According to estimates, expanding Medicaid will be overwhelmingly paid for by the federal government. Any remaining costs would be funded by a small assessment on hospitals and health care providers.

3. It is the single most important step we can take to fight the opioid crisis.

North Carolina has the second highest rate of opioid deaths in the nation. Expanding Medicaid would help more people recover from addiction by increasing access to reliable drug treatment and mental health services.

4. It will bring jobs to rural North Carolina and keep rural hospitals open.

Since 2010, five rural hospitals in North Carolina have closed, and 40% of our rural hospitals are in the red. But rural hospitals are 84% less likely to close if they are located in a state that expanded Medicaid. Not to mention, expanding Medicaid will strengthen our rural economies by providing more jobs and more economic activity.

5. Thousands of veterans would gain access to coverage.

More than 23,000 veterans living in North Carolina fall in the coverage gap. Expanding Medicaid would make affordable health care more accessible for all of them.

Expanding Medicaid is good for our people, good our economy, and it won’t cost us a dime. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Call your representatives and tell them why it’s vital that North Carolina expand Medicaid at (919) 733–4111.