Statement from the NC Justice Center: Congress’ health care proposal would abandon North Carolinians in need

New series “Medicaid Matters” highlights success of program, examines latest proposals

RALEIGH (March 7, 2017) — Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled a plan to repeal the benefits, protections, and affordability provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The plan also sneaks in a radical restructure of the Medicaid program’s funding structure, resulting in funding cuts that would leave North Carolina at risk for years to come.

This plan does not measure up to the Affordable Care Act. It would shift costs onto North Carolinians—especially older adults, the sick, and people with low-incomes—forcing them to pay higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs, resulting in fewer people affording insurance that gives them access to the care they need. Massive cuts to Medicaid would shift costs to states and to North Carolina’s children, people with disabilities, and seniors who depend on the program for life-saving coverage.

We call on Congress and the White House to develop a serious plan that improves on the gains and protections of the Affordable Care Act—not take us back.

MORE INFORMATION

Today the Health Advocacy Project released a new series, MEDICAID MATTERS: Protect and Expand NC Health Care, which aims to highlight the success of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as examine the proposals being set forth by Congress that threaten the existence of these programs. The policy briefs will illustrate how Medicaid and CHIP affect the health and well-being of children, older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, as well as the North Carolina state budget.

The series will be updated weekly through early April. Read the first installment at this link.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Brendan Riley, brendan@ncjustice.org, 919.861.2074; Nicole Dozier, nicole@ncjustice.org, 919.856.2146; Julia Hawes, julia@ncjustice.org, 919.863.2406.