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Medicaid expansion would extend relief to all hospitals in North Carolina, but particularly to hospitals in rural parts of the state. Since 2014, six rural hospitals have closed and many more remain vulnerable to closure because of financial challenges. This study supports prior research demonstrating the positive effects of Medicaid expansion on hospital finances and, by extension, rural communities that rely on hospitals for health care and jobs.

During the worst public health crisis in a century, over a million North Carolinians are uninsured. Medicaid expansion would provide coverage for more than 500,000 low-income North Carolinians. Prior to the pandemic, North Carolina had an uninsured rate of 11.3%, well above the national uninsured rate of 9.2%. Research shows that closing the coverage gap would help narrow racial and ethnic health disparities. This is especially important for low-income communities of color that disproportionately have occupations that put them at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and have higher rates of chronic health conditions

Governor Cooper has included Medicaid expansion in his budget proposal. The Recovery Act included additional financial support for states to expand Medicaid. The time is now. Call your state Rep and tell them you support Medicaid Expansion for 500,000 North Carolinians and you want rural hospitals to remain open.