RALEIGH, NC (February 27, 2024) – Nearly ten years to the day when organizers held their first meeting, Care4Carolina is set to wrap up operations on its successful quest to expand access to Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of North Carolina residents. Officially launched in 2015, Care4Carolina took on that growing health care challenge by forming a coalition (under a 501(c)(3) blanket) with the belief that access to quality, affordable health care helps build a healthier, stronger North Carolina.
On March 27, 2023, Care4Carolina’s advocacy efforts met their intended result as North Carolina became the 40th state to expand Medicaid when Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 76. The expanded coverage went into effect on December 1, 2023, for individuals that were not eligible for traditional Medicaid and do not qualify for a premium subsidy on the health insurance marketplace.
“Care4Carolina was formed to do one thing: find a solution to close the health insurance coverage gap in North Carolina,” says Care4Carolina Executive Director Abby Emanuelson. “We long believed that, while difficult, closing that gap through the expansion of Medicaid was achievable. Our partners in this effort helped us form one of the most unlikely bipartisan, cross-industry coalitions ever assembled in North Carolina – and we succeeded.”
While bringing aboard 200-plus health, business and faith organizations, Care4Carolina organized and facilitated an informative and constructive movement. The organization not only took the lead in support for Medicaid expansion across the state, but served to inform new and existing members of the NC General Assembly of the economic and health benefits of expansion, and implemented a public media campaign focused on the benefits of expansion.
“The name of the legislation that took Medicaid expansion over the finish line was HB76 – and the ’76 strikes me as very telling,” says Care4Carolina Chair Peg O’Connell. “This campaign was successful thanks, in part, to its bipartisan approach, strong partners and visionary leadership in the North Carolina state legislature. It has been a stirring affirmation of our democratic system – a reminder that the principles upon which our country was founded in 1776 are alive and well.”
Care4Carolina is continuing its advocacy efforts by promoting enrollment opportunities to approximately 600,000 North Carolina residents who can now benefit from the expansion. Coalition leaders are also joining key legislators to advise other states such as Georgia, Florida and Mississippi on how to close their coverage gaps – giving NC clout and prestige far beyond its borders.
The organization is expected to officially sunset in the spring of 2024. Its archives and coalition materials will be housed with the North Carolina Alliance for Health.
What Others are Saying About Care4Carolina:
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper:
“Care4Carolina has been an important partner in Medicaid Expansion for North Carolina, giving more than 600,000 people access to health insurance coverage. North Carolina is making good on our promise by getting people enrolled at a record pace and helping them get the care they need to build a healthier North Carolina for all.”
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley:
“Our work with Care4Carolina helped us accomplish the most significant investment in health care in North Carolina’s history. Staying connected to communities and partners is vital as we work to improve the health and well-being of every person in North Carolina.”
North Carolina Representative Donny Lambeth (R):
“Care4Carolina was a major and integral force behind the successful expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina. The organization never gave up or waivered in their support with facts and data that informed legislators, counties and other advocacy groups of the many benefits to citizens in our state. Closing the gap will benefit so many in NC because of their work and commitment.”
North Carolina Senator Kevin Corbin (R):
“Care4Carolina has been a very effective group in this state for some time. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a better example of a coalition that worked together to accomplish a goal. Great job.”
North Carolina Senator Gale Adcock (D) (also a family nurse practitioner)
“Care4Carolina did what it historically takes to get individuals, groups, and systems to make a major change: they kept the lines of communication open, refused to take delay personally, and recognized that “no” can be a temporary answer.”
Sharon Decker:
“From the beginning of this initiative, Care4Carolina provided the state and national research helpful in making informed and fact based decisions, enlisted business leadership from across the State to advocate for change and maintained the steady focus on an issue that impacts so many North Carolinians. North Carolina will have healthier citizens, businesses will have a healthier workforce, due in great part to Care4Carolina’s strong advocacy.”
Nancy Brown, CEO American Heart Association:
“The American Heart Association is proud to have been a founding member and the first home for the Care4Carolina Medicaid expansion coalition. For nearly a decade, advocates from across the healthcare spectrum, alongside business leaders, faith leaders and community leaders, worked tirelessly to demonstrate the benefits of expanding Medicaid in North Carolina. The health of 600,000 North Carolinians will be better due to the dedication of coalition members. With access to preventive care and monitoring of risk factors, heart attacks and strokes will be averted, and people will live longer and healthier lives. The American Heart Association commends Care4Carolina and the legislative champions who made Medicaid expansion a reality for North Carolina.”
ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse:
“We at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network are so grateful for the incredible work of Care4Carolina over the last ten years. The advocacy and passion that emerged from this organization made a significantimpact on changing state policy and helping the nearly 600,000 people who now have access to quality, affordable health coverage. Thank you for your tremendous partnership and congratulations on a job well done.”
Morgan Wittman Gramann, Executive Director, NC Alliance for Health:
“The N.C. Alliance for Health is proud to be the keeper of the flame for the collaborative spirit kindled by Care4Carolina as well as the repository for all the records and resources developed over the past decade.”
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About Care4Carolina
Care4Carolina believes that access to quality, affordable health care helps build a healthier, stronger North Carolina. Covering the uninsured means better premium value for North Carolinians with private health insurance by lowering costs for everyone. Providing health insurance coverage will help people gain access to the care they need, which improves health outcomes. To learn more, visit www.care4carolina.com.