America Can’t Recover if the South Isn’t Covered

HAVING LIFE-SAVING COVERAGE SHOULDN’T DEPEND ON THE STATE THAT YOU LIVE IN.

The Southerners for Medicaid Expansion continues to urge federal leaders to take immediate action to expand healthcare coverage to nearly seven million people across the South.

The following statement released on March 27, 2023 in celebration of the passage of Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina. 

"The Southerners for Medicaid Expansion coalition applauds and celebrates the passage of Medicaid expansion in our partner state, North Carolina! Republican legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly led this legislative effort, and Democratic Governor Roy Cooper signed it into law, demonstrating that expanding health coverage is not a partisan issue—it is smart policy.

Medicaid expansion has been proven to improve health outcomes, strengthen rural hospitals, connect more people to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, narrow racial health gaps, improve maternal and infant health, keep people from facing medical debt, and benefit state budgets. North Carolina is set to bring in billions of dollars in federal funds from both the incentive in the American Rescue Plan, as well as the 90% federal match on the expansion population.

This victory in North Carolina is just the beginning. Southerners for Medicaid Expansion united with the goal of closing the Medicaid coverage gap in all remaining states. We will continue working to amplify and mobilize the voices of those who continue to have no access to accessible health care. North Carolina’s passage of Medicaid expansion leaves 10 states and nearly two million people without Medicaid expansion. It is time for our states to follow suit and invest in the health and wealth of our people by expanding Medicaid."

 

Read our past Letters
  • February 12, 2021
    • Urging Congress to take immediate action to expand healthcare coverage. Southern states are battling COVID-19 on sinking ground.
  • June 24, 2021
    • Urging Congress to pursue a direct coverage option for low-income individuals in non-expansion states in the forthcoming recovery legislation.
  • September 10, 2021
    • Urging Congress to ensure the Build Back Better reconciliation bill includes a coverage gap policy solution that is comprehensive and permanent.
  • September 17, 2021
    • Urging Democratic Senators to prioritize the permanent and comprehensive Medicaid “coverage gap” policy outlined in the House Energy and Commerce Committee reconciliation bill.
  • October 19, 2021
    • Urging Congress to secure progressive investments in Build Back Better legislation to close the federal Medicaid coverage gap.
  • December 21, 2021
    • Urging Congress to work to ensure any final BBB package includes the federal coverage gap fix.
  • May 18, 2022
    • Urging Majority Leader Schumer to close the Medicaid coverage gap as a necessary step for economic and racial justice.
  • May 19, 2022
    • Urging Speaker Pelosi to ensure moves a fix to the Medicaid coverage together with an extension of enhanced APTCs.
  • July 11, 2022
    • Statement: In the wake of the Dobbs decision, the need to close the Medicaid coverage gap is greater than ever.
  • July 12, 2022
    • Letter: In the wake of the Dobbs decision, Congress must take immediate action to ensure all women and birthing people across this country have at minimum access to basic health care.
  • July 28, 2022
    • Statement: Responding to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which does not include a provision to close the Medicaid coverage gap.
  • August 3, 2022
    • Letter: VOTE YES on Warnock Coverage Gap Amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
  • August 16, 2022
    • Statement: In response to the President's signing of the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • March 27, 2023
    • Statement: On North Carolina's passage of Medicaid Expansion
Take Action

Contact Your Officials

Our communities have suffered far too long in the coverage gap. They are parents and youth, cooks and teachers, caretakers and essential workers. For too many, this is a matter of life and death. The White House included a coverage gap fix through 2025 in the Build Back Better framework - now we need to raise our voices to ensure the coverage gap fix becomes law. Contact your member of Congress now!

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