Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina announced that enrollment in the state’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults has exceeded 400,000 in the first four months of the expansion program. The coverage provides full health benefits for adults aged 19-64 who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Enrollment began on December 1, following the completion of the necessary steps to implement the program through the federal Affordable Care Act. Most of the initial enrollees had previously only received Medicaid for family planning coverage. Since then, North Carolina has been enrolling over 1,000 people per day, surpassing the pace of other states that have expanded Medicaid.
The Department of Health and Human Services in North Carolina projects that enrollment under the expansion will reach 600,000 within two years. They are working with various health organizations and nonprofits to recruit more eligible individuals. Many of the enrollees are young adults or live in rural communities. The expansion recipients have already benefited from over 700,000 prescriptions and generated over $11 million in dental service claims. DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley highlighted that people are not just getting coverage, but they are also receiving necessary care. The success of the expansion program demonstrates how lifechanging Medicaid expansion is for the state.
Governor Cooper has been advocating for the expansion of Medicaid since taking office in 2017. With the support of the Republican-controlled General Assembly, an expansion law was enacted in March 2023. However, a separate state budget law also needed to be approved to move forward with the expansion. The federal government covers 90% of the cost of the expansion, with the remaining 10% paid through an increased assessment on hospitals. The enrollment in the program also qualifies North Carolina to receive a $1.8 billion bonus from the federal government over two years. DHHS has already distributed $198 million to various initiatives in government, health, education, and nonprofits.
The success of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina demonstrates the impact it has on low-income adults who are in need of healthcare coverage. The rapid enrollment rate indicates the high demand for these benefits among the state’s residents. Young adults and individuals living in rural communities, in particular, have been able to access necessary healthcare services through the expansion program. The financial benefits from the federal government and the bonus received by the state will further support healthcare initiatives and programs across North Carolina.
Overall, the Medicaid expansion program in North Carolina has been instrumental in providing health benefits to low-income adults who were previously unable to access comprehensive coverage. Governor Cooper’s efforts in advocating for expansion and working with the General Assembly have resulted in significant progress towards ensuring that more individuals have access to healthcare services. The success of the enrollment process and the positive impact on individuals who have already benefited from the program highlight the importance of expanding Medicaid coverage to improve public health and well-being in the state.
