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Sign as a Business Leader

As a North Carolina business leader, I endorse the following statement:

We, as North Carolina business leaders, understand that a strong economy and a thriving workforce require healthy families. Right now, too many hard-working families are uninsured. In fact, about two-thirds of all uninsured adults in North Carolina work. They are construction workers, farmers, child care providers, and even veterans. We urge the North Carolina General Assembly to achieve a bi-partisan solution to close the health insurance coverage gap. Now is the time to act. There are proposals on the table that would require no investment of state tax dollars and closing the gap would create an estimated 37,000 jobs and billions in economic activity. Much of this economic activity would benefit our rural communities and other areas most in need of an economic boost. Closing the health insurance coverage gap is a good deal for the health of North Carolina families and for our economy. We urge you to work together and achieve a policy solution that closes the health insurance coverage gap.

Business Leaders for Closing the Coverage Gap

By signing this statement you are granting permission to Care4Carolina to publicize your endorsement. Your personal information will only be used for the purposes of this public endorsement statement and will not be shared with any other entity. Personal contact information will not be shared in endorsement statements listings or ads. Employer affiliation will be used for identification purposes only. For example: “Mr./Ms./Mrs. John Doe, CEO, ABC Corporation*; Anytown, NC”.

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Sign as a Faith Community

Faith Leaders Addendum

As a North Carolina faith leader/ community of faith, I/we endorse the following statement:

We, as people of faith in North Carolina, believe that the Lord brings good news to the poor, binds up the broken-hearted, and comforts all those who mourn. We believe that when we work to ease the burdens of our neighbors who are struggling the most, we are caring for God. And, we believe we are called to follow our God by doing good, not only in the halls of our congregations, but by seeking justice in the wider world.

That means we cannot stand silent when presented with the opportunity to provide healthcare coverage for hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters. We understand that a community cannot flourish while its people lack access to affordable, quality healthcare. Healthy families are the bedrock of our communities of faith and of our local economies. Uninsured North Carolinians include members of our congregations, pastors, child care providers, farmers, construction workers, small business owners, neighbors, and friends. We urge the North Carolina General Assembly to work together across bi-partisan lines to close the health insurance coverage gap for all of these children of God.

Signing Disclosure

By signing this statement you are granting permission to Care4Carolina to publicize your endorsement. Your personal information will only be used for the purposes of this public endorsement statement and will not be shared with any other entity. Personal contact information will not be shared in endorsement statements, listings, or ads. Employer information will be used for identification purposes only. For example: “Rev. John Doe, Pastor, ABC Church, Anytown, NC.”

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Sign as a Grassroots Group

As legislation progresses to enact a North Carolina solution to close the health insurance coverage gap, it is critical that we have a grassroots team ready to mobilize. By signing up as a member of the Care4Carolina Grassroots Action Network, you agree to activate your group/organization when action is requested during the campaign. Action requests may include but are not limited to reaching out to legislators, sharing posts on social media, and relaying information to other contacts.

Your work as a grassroots group/organization is essential to our efforts, and Care4Carolina appreciates your support in ensuring that our mission is achieved. Together, we will find a North Carolina solution to close the health insurance coverage gap.

*By signing on as a member of the Care4Carolina Grassroots Action Network, your group/organization’s information will not be shared externally. The information collected through this form is for internal use only.

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Health care for working North Carolinians now

July 27, 2021 by Hailey Gutzmer Leave a Comment

Republished from NC Spin on July 15, 2021

By Dr. Sandra Burke

As a cardiovascular research scientist for more than 41 years, I am absolutely committed to the health and well-being of all Americans. One of many ways we in North Carolina can contribute to this goal is to follow the footsteps of the 38 other states that have moved to close their coverage gaps by expanding Medicaid benefits. 

Many working adults do not earn enough to afford private insurance, but make too much to qualify for Medicaid. Thus, they fall into a coverage gap that needs to be closed by legislative action as soon as possible.  In this way, all our citizens will be able to access the healthcare they need.  

The stakes are high — and might very well impact you or your family. More than 600,000 North Carolinians lack access to affordable health insurance. These include small business owners, child care providers, service workers, veterans, farmers, fishermen, volunteer firefighters and so many other truly hard working citizens. 

Many of us never think twice about the cost of healthcare, because insurance covers much of the costs:  we go to the doctor, receive the bill, pay it when the notice arrives in our mailboxes and go on with our day.  But what about those unable to afford adequate healthcare? We owe it to these neighbors to support reasonable, well thought-out steps so that they can make lifesaving visits to a healthcare provider without fear of being unable to pay.

Expanding Medicaid is, indeed, reasonable and thought-out. And the timing is urgent. In North Carolina, heart disease and stroke remain among the top causes of death every year. For someone with heart disease, lack of insurance often means poorer blood pressure control and consequently, higher mortality rates. 

And for stroke victims, those who are uninsured experience greater neurological impairments, longer hospital stays and a much higher risk of death than those who are insured. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the issue is particularly severe.  

A growing number of studies suggest many COVID-19 survivors experience some type of heart damage, even if they didn’t have underlying heart disease and weren’t sick enough to be hospitalized.  Nearly one-fourth of those hospitalized with COVID-19 have been diagnosed with cardiovascular complications, which have been shown to contribute to roughly 40% of all COVID-19-related deaths.  These patients must be adequately insured so that they can once again enter the workforce, care for their families and contribute to the growth and well-being of our communities.

My dear stepfather died some years ago from a severe cardiovascular condition, and I, like so many of us, have other relatives who have suffered from cardiovascular diseases.  Ensuring that all residents of this state can afford and receive adequate healthcare is personal to me. I cannot stress how strongly I and many others feel about the need for our legislators to understand and care enough to act now to close the coverage gap and protect the health of all North Carolinians.  Contact your state legislators and let them know that we want and need their support on this issue….NOW!


Sandra E. Burke is the author of more than 75 publications and abstracts in scientific journals. She and her colleagues have secured 18 patents. She currently serves on the American Heart Association Southeast Board of Directors. She and her husband live in Wesley Chapel, NC.

Category iconUpdates Tag iconHeart Disease

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