RALEIGH, NC – May 18, 2022 – For nearly 10 consecutive years, Medicaid expansion has been debated amongst North Carolina lawmakers and put on the backburner. That all might change during this session as lawmakers continue to have the most robust conversations on the issue since the passage of the Affordable Care Act and due to a special Medicaid expansion review committee tasked with providing a recommendation on the issue.
The below is a statement on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network as lawmakers start the regular session and can be attributed to ACS CAN North Carolina Government Relations Director, Derwin Montgomery.
“We’re encouraged by lawmakers’ commitment to fight for lifesaving policy this session that will finally ensure over 600,00 hardworking North Carolinians have adequate and affordable access to care necessary to survivorship from cancer and other chronic illnesses.
“The 2022 session can be historic for North Carolina. It’ll mean the difference between life and death for thousands of residents by directly providing coverage and will be life changing for the state of our economy, rural communities and our progression in the fight against cancer.
“Medicaid expansion isn’t just top of mind for legislators right now, families all across our state are looking and waiting to see lawmakers reinvigorate our rural towns, bring jobs to their neighborhoods, save taxpayer money and support families by improving health for generations to come all by increasing Medicaid eligibility.
“We look forward to see the review committee’s recommendations following their in-depth discussions and research earlier in the year and are grateful for their time and dedication spent thus far on such a critical issue. Most of all, we’re excited to work with legislators to finally ensure such lifesaving action for hardworking North Carolinians.”