Two years ago, North Carolina became the 40th state to expand Medicaid, opening up crucial healthcare coverage to over 630,000 North Carolinians. The government-funded health insurance program has expanded much-needed coverage to low-income adults, pregnant women, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural communities where many have less access to care.
Despite the number of lives saved by this expansion, the success could be undone if Republicans cut federal funding for Medicaid.
According to NC Newsline, North Carolina is one of nine states with “trigger laws” that would eliminate Medicaid expansion if federal funds no longer cover the expansion.
A panel of healthcare experts, elected officials, and impacted North Carolinians warned of dire consequences if Republicans slash Medicaid funding. The panel warned that rural communities will take the brunt of the cuts as most rural hospitals heavily depend on Medicaid funding.
In addition, over 1.2 million rural North Carolinians are covered by Medicaid.
“We lost 12 rural hospitals in North Carolina since 2005, we have seven more that are considered extremely vulnerable. We have seen a great deal of stabilization of those hospitals since Medicaid expansion took effect,” Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center, stated during the panel discussion. “Cuts sound easy — it may be an easy decision for some — but what comes after that?”
Last week, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein wrote a letter to Congress, urging them to change course on proposed federal cuts to the lifesaving program.
“As Governor of North Carolina, I am deeply concerned about the cuts to Medicaid funding being considered at the federal level,” Gov. Stein wrote in the letter. “Medicaid is a lifeline for more than 3 million North Carolinians, including many of our most vulnerable people—children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those living in rural communities. Any reductions in Medicaid funding would jeopardize access to critical health care for these groups, putting at risk their well-being and the stability of our health care system.”
If Republicans cut Medicaid, more than 640,000 North Carolinians would immediately lose their healthcare coverage, and healthcare providers would lose $6 billion in federal funds, according to Gov. Stein’s letter.
“These are significant and immediate consequences, and I urge Congress to take these options off the table,” Gov. Stein wrote in the letter. “Our state is committed to ensuring access to quality, affordable care for all residents, and we need continued federal support to fulfill that mission”.
