RALEIGH, NC – February 16, 2023 – The North Carolina House, in a 92-22 vote today, passed a bill that would increase eligibility for Medicaid in an effort to ensure affordable, accessible care for 600,000 North Carolinians.
Today’s action comes in advance of the end of the continuous coverage requirement, which is expected to disenroll thousands of state residents from the Medicaid program, leaving many low-income people in states like North Carolina in the coverage gap.
The below is a statement on behalf of Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in reaction.
“The passage of HB 76 comes at a critical time for health care access in North Carolina and provides a path to affordable health care for hundreds of thousands of people living in the Medicaid coverage gap.
“Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death for North Carolinians and advancing lifesaving legislation like expanding access to Medicaid is key to reducing the cancer burden across the state.
“We’re encouraged by today’s historic vote in the House as an overwhelming majority of North Carolinians across party lines believe that the legislature should make a deal to expand Medicaid.
“We [ACS CAN] are committed to advocating on behalf of families all across the state touched by cancer and making the voices of patient and survivors heard.”