Butterfield, Price, Adams Call for Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina

Washington, DC  – On Jan. 10th, U.S. Representatives G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), David E. Price (NC-04), and Alma Adams (NC-12), the Democratic members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation, sent the attached letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in strong support of a State Plan Amendment to expand Medicaid in the State of North Carolina.

Medicaid expansion is a core provision of the Affordable Care Act.  Under North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s proposal, North Carolina will receive $4 billion in federal funding while saving over $330 million in uncompensated care.  Studies have shown that expanding Medicaid in North Carolina will provide access to care for over half a million state residents, streamline care delivery, and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, I have urged our governor to expand Medicaid and provide more quality health coverage for North Carolinians,” said Congressman Butterfield. “More than half a million North Carolinians stand to gain coverage under Governor Cooper’s plan.  Access to basic health coverage is a right that all North Carolinians and Americans deserve and I stand ready to protect the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid from Republican efforts to derail the healthcare progress we have made.”   

“I strongly support Governor Cooper in his planned expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina,” said Congressman Price. “The McCrory administration and Republicans in the General Assembly stood in the way of this expansion for political reasons, despite the very real benefits it will provide for lower-income North Carolinians and our state’s economy.”

“Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina would broaden coverage to an additional 650,000 beneficiaries, create jobs, and save our state millions,” said Congresswoman Adams.  “I’m proud to support Governor Cooper in this common sense measure that could save hundreds of lives every year, many of whom are minorities. We can’t let politics get in the way of doing what’s right for North Carolina families.”

The full text of the letter to CMS can be viewed here.