Today in Nash County, Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai engaged in a roundtable dialogue with rural health providers and community leaders. The discussion centered on how NC Medicaid offers essential healthcare coverage in rural areas, amid potential federal cuts that could severely impact these communities.
Governor Stein stressed the importance of NC Medicaid, labeling it as an “innovative and fiscally responsible program.” He emphasized its vital support for over three million residents, particularly in rural locations, and its role in fortifying local hospitals.
In various rural counties, NC Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to more than half of the residents. Its financial contributions are crucial to sustaining rural hospitals, many of which face financial challenges. Enhanced healthcare coverage helps mitigate hospitals’ financial burden for uninsured patients, ensuring economic stability.
More than 230,000 people in rural areas have enrolled in Medicaid since its expansion, enhancing their access to check-ups, prescriptions, and other medical services. Overall, the program supports one in four North Carolinians, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and working adults.
Secretary Sangvai highlighted the program’s life-saving benefits, such as preventive screenings, mental health support, and low-cost prescriptions. He declared, “NC Medicaid saves lives… North Carolinians know the value and importance of what NC Medicaid does for communities and our state.”
The event was hosted by UNC Health Nash, a non-profit hospital serving rural eastern NC counties. The meeting comes at a crucial moment as Congressional proposals threaten to slash Medicaid funding, which could eliminate coverage for 640,000 working residents, negatively affect health outcomes, impact the economy, harm rural areas, and elevate costs for everyone.
L. Lee Isley, president and CEO of UNC Health Nash, expressed concern over potential Medicaid cuts. “Hospitals like Nash see first-hand every single day how Medicaid provides patients with access to critical services,” he noted, warning that cuts could force essential rural hospital services to close.
Other participants of the roundtable included Dr. L. Lee Isley, FACHE, Reuben Blackwell, CEO of OIC Family Medical Center, Dr. Joanna Dauber, DO, NCMP, and Tyronda “Ty” Whitaker, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman.
