A Lifeline for North Carolinians: Reflections on the First Anniversary of Medicaid Expansion

RALEIGH (December 2, 2024) – The NC Justice Center celebrates the record enrollment of over 577,000 North Carolinians into Medicaid expansion in just one year. We are grateful for the continued benefits Medicaid expansion will bring to our state, particularly in alleviating the burden many western North Carolinians face as they grapple with the prolonged physical and mental health impacts of Hurricane Helene.

“This tragic event reminds us of how essential it is to protect Medicaid expansion and other policies that safeguard our neighbors most in need of resources,” says Nicole Dozier, Director of the NC Justice Center’s Health Advocacy Project. “In Buncombe alone, the county hit hardest by Helene, over 13,500 people have enrolled in Medicaid expansion since December 1, 2023.”

Buncombe County resident Surrey Ella, a mother and caretaker to her 31-year-old special needs son, is one of them. “The expansion of Medicaid was a tremendous help to me, as just one of the medications I require is about $1,000 per month,” says Ella, who has three rare genetic conditions and is no longer able to work. “It has made a huge difference in our lives. When a person is cared for, it allows them to be able to care for others.”

National Nurses United member Elle Kruta echoes this sentiment. As an RN and Case Manager for the Women’s and Children’s Ward at Mission Hospital in Asheville, she has seen profound impacts on the health of families in the area.

“Expansion has allowed for more and more women to seek treatment for medical care and not just family planning,” Kruta says. She has also seen more children getting Medicaid as a byproduct of expansion to adults. “As a case manager, it warms my heart to see children who were not covered now able to get the care and treatments so needed without families having to worry about food, rent, or gas.”

Surrey Ella and Elle Kruta are available for a media interview.

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