Add your name to the growing movement in support of closing the coverage gap in North Carolina:
WHEREAS, North Carolina has the opportunity to expand affordable health insurance to 500,000 people; and,
WHEREAS, more than 300,000 of these individuals and families have no other affordable insurance options available to them, which has created a coverage gap; and,
WHEREAS, the development of a North Carolina strategy for closing this coverage gap in our state will allow us to strengthen and protect our economic prosperity and preserve the freedoms and opportunities that are cherished by the people and businesses of our state; and,
WHEREAS, covering the uninsured means better premium value for North Carolinians with private health insurance by lowering costs for everyone; and,
WHEREAS, providing health insurance coverage will help people, especially women of child bearing age, gain access to the care they need, which improves health outcomes; and,
WHEREAS, closing the coverage gap will provide health care for a significant number of very low-income, childless adults who are not eligible for any state or federal health care assistance; and
WHEREAS, closing the coverage gap will promote access to behavioral and physical health therapy and treatment for low-income citizens struggling with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, a North Carolina plan to close the coverage gap could create as many as 43,000 new jobs statewide, according to a study by the Center for Health Policy Research at The George Washington University; and,
WHEREAS, closing the coverage gap in North Carolina will bring $21 billion in federal funding to the state between 2016 and 2020; and,
WHEREAS, closing the coverage gap could generate a net savings of $318 million in the state budget, and counties will gain more than $160 million in additional revenue due to the additional economic and job growth; and,
WHEREAS, closing the coverage gap could strengthen the economy and bolster job growth in counties all across North Carolina, as well as improve health access for almost half a million North Carolinians.vi
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the undersigned supports seeking a North Carolina strategy for closing the coverage gap for all North Carolina citizens earning at or below 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, in accordance with provisions of the federal law.