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Care4Carolina

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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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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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Close the Gap to Increase Workforce Participation: Share your story about the importance of health insurance coverage

March 11, 2022 by Hannah Robinson Leave a Comment

By Abby Emanuelson, Advocacy Consultant, Care4Carolina

When I graduated college in 1996, I had a full-time job without health benefits.  While proud that I was employed, my parents anxiously purchased an individual health insurance policy (and paid the premiums for nine months). When I was in graduate school and under employed, my dad encouraged an elopement, so I would have health insurance until I started my career.  And like most twenty-somethings, I played the odds and prayed I wouldn’t need to go to the doctor or to the emergency room until I was employed with benefits again.

In 2021, more than 150 million Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance.  With nearly half of the US population covered by an employer sponsored plan, it is a common assumption that if a person works, they have health insurance coverage.  Many states built this assumption into their Medicaid expansion programs by requiring “work” to receive benefits.  However, “workers who earn low wages, work part-time, have short job tenure, and who live in households with low incomes are likely to be uninsured.”

Much like my parents and twenty-something self, hundreds of thousands of uninsured North Carolinians are hoping and praying that they themselves, their spouse, or children won’t have a health event that requires costly medical attention – but injuries and diagnoses of chronic illnesses are indiscriminate of one’s health coverage and employment status.

Fortunately, closing the health insurance coverage gap addresses both health coverage status and labor force participation. Among the unemployed, access to affordable healthcare coverage increases the likelihood of finding a job, and health coverage incentivizes working adults to increase the number of hours worked. Michigan, Ohio, and Montana all saw labor force participation increase after closing the coverage gap.

While I was with the National MS Society, I advocated for increased access and portability of insurance to allow people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to stay working.  Research from expansion states has found an increase in employment rates among working-age adults with disabilities.

National and local news have consistently reported on the lack of workers. Workforce shortages are more complex than just providing health insurance, but for North Carolina, closing the health insurance coverage gap is a good place to start!

If you are uninsured or previously uninsured working adult in North Carolina that would like to share your story about the importance of health insurance coverage, please contact info@care4carolina.com.

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Follow Care4Carolina

RT @healthactionnc Thank you @RussBowenWNCN for this great segment with @rcerese the Health Policy Advocate at the @ncjustice and for honoring Deanna's life by sharing her story. Medicaid expansion is good for NC. Let's get this done! #ExpandMedicaidNC
cbs17.com/news/north…

Yesterday

RT @NcAging Let's #CloseTheGapNC to provide quality healthcare to 34,000 older North Carolinians. twitter.com/NCThirdA…

About 2 days ago

RT @healthactionnc From Mountains to Sea, folks want us to #ExpandMedicaidNC. Let's get this done for our NC families! pic.twitter.com/uCGQ…

About 2 days ago

Providing truly accessible health care services, particularly treatment for mental illnesses and substance use disorders — as closing the gap would — is a promising way to reduce rates of re-offense. Sheriff Robbie Holland #ClosetheGapNC #ncga #ncpol
greensboro.com/opini…

About 2 days ago

RT @NCThirdAge At the May 20 NCCOA members' meeting in Raleigh, Abby Emanuelson of @care4carolina said expanding Medicaid would help an estimated 34,000 NCians aged 55-64. The move would create jobs, fight poverty and help rural hospitals in particular. @NCHCFA @FriendsTerm @AHHCNC @AARPNC pic.twitter.com/8ejb…

About 2 days ago

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