• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Care4Carolina

Care4Carolina

Expanding access. Enhancing prosperity.

  • About
    • Overview
    • Member Organizations
    • Steering Committee
    • Business Advisory Council
    • Business Leader & Business Owner Supporters
    • Civic Leaders
    • Faith Community & Leaders
  • Updates
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit Event to the Community Calendar
  • Resources
    • Browse All Resources
    • In the News
  • Map
  • Act Now
  • Donate

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”.

  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will be published
  • Will be published
  • Only your CITY will be published. All other address information will NOT be published or shared.
  • Will not be published.
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign as an Individual

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign as an Organization

  • Will be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign as a Civic Leader

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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.”

  • Will be published
  • Will be published if signing as individual
  • Will be published if signing as individual
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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.

  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • Will not be published
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

North Carolina’s Veterans Need Healthcare: Close the Coverage Gap

September 7, 2021 by Katie Horneffer Leave a Comment

By Katie Horneffer, Intern, Care4Carolina

Last week, the U.S. withdrew the last of its troops from Afghanistan, bringing an end to the 20-year war. This week, our country will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. These events provide a sobering reminder of the sacrifices that America’s veterans have made in the name of our freedom. As the last of our troops return from our country’s longest war, they will need access to health insurance to address any physical or mental health concerns. Yet in North Carolina, a state with one of the largest veteran populations, thousands of veterans are unable to access the healthcare they need because our state has not closed its health insurance coverage gap.

Our state has the fifth highest uninsured veteran population in the country. There are an estimated 12,000 veterans that would gain access to affordable health insurance if North Carolina closed its coverage gap.

Younger veterans with more recent military service—like those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq—are more likely to fall into the coverage gap. In fact, veterans ages 19-24 are nearly four times as likely as veterans ages 55-64 to be uninsured. Younger veterans may also be at higher risk of severe mental health problems, including suicide. Yet despite their need for health services, many younger veterans are not eligible for care through the VA system due to requirements around service duration and other factors.

It’s a common misconception that all veterans automatically are eligible to receive comprehensive care through the VA system. In reality, only 40% of all veterans are enrolled in the VA system. Eligibility depends on veteran status, service duration, service-related disabilities, income level, and other factors. This means that many of the people who risked their lives for our country are left without access to affordable health insurance.

As one might imagine, the demands of military service can lead to a number of physical and mental health concerns. Veterans, especially low-income veterans, face high rates of chronic health conditions, disability, severe mental illness like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and substance use disorder. When veterans do not have access to affordable health insurance, it can be extremely difficult for them to access the care that they need to manage their own health. About 41% of uninsured veterans have unmet medical needs, and 34% have reported delaying needed healthcare due to cost concerns. And sadly, veterans with serious health conditions—those who would benefit the most from regular care— are even more likely to skip needed care due to financial concerns.

But closing the coverage gap can help. Research shows that states that have closed their coverage gap have lower rates of uninsured veterans compared to those that haven’t. In these states, veterans are much more likely to have regular access to a doctor. This means they are able to get important preventive care, like cancer screenings and influenza vaccinations. And they can better manage chronic health conditions ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure to mental health concerns. Isn’t this the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line for our country?

Closing the coverage gap would actually improve healthcare for all veterans, not just those who are uninsured. Particularly in rural areas, VA hospitals and clinics can be a long distance away. Closing the coverage gap would allow more veterans to access local providers outside of the VA system, so that they didn’t have to travel so far for services. This can also help reduce the burden on the VA system, which sometimes leaves veterans to face long wait times for care.

North Carolina’s veterans have sacrificed so much for us—now it’s time that we give back to them. In honor of all those who have served our country, let’s take action now to close the health insurance coverage gap.

Category iconWeekly Blog Tag iconGood for Veterans

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Care4Carolina

Footer

Contact

5001 S Miami Blvd
Suite 300
Durham, NC 27703
Email: info@care4carolina.com

Key Links

  • About
  • Updates
  • Resources
  • News Articles

Act Now

Care4Carolina believes that access to quality, affordable health care helps build a healthier, stronger North Carolina.

Act Now

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Care4Carolina · All Rights Reserved

Website by Tomatillo Design