RALEIGH, NC – March 2, 2023 – This morning, Senate President Phil Berger and House Speaker Rep. Tim Moore hosted a press conference announcing a long-awaited deal on expanding Medicaid eligibility in the state and committing to finalizing its passage via the FY 2023 budget. The announcement comes just days after an estimated 70 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and Black Voters Matter advocates gathered at the Capitol to urge lawmakers to prioritize increased access to Medicaid.
“On behalf of the cancer patients and the families we represent, we’re ecstatic to see today’s announcement by Senate and House leadership to bring affordable, accessible care for over 600,000 North Carolinians and we’re eager to see the full legislature come together in a bipartisan way for its passage" shared Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Soon, thousands of North Carolinians will finally have a fighting chance against the state’s leading cause of death with the health coverage they need to be able to receive an early screening or treat a cancer diagnosis and countless lives will be saved.”
North Carolina is now positioned to become the 40th state to expand Medicaid and the first state to do so under the American Rescue Plan Act, bringing more than $1.5 billion in federal dollars to the state as a result.
“We’re grateful to legislative leadership for pledging to take the final step to expand Medicaid – as well as their commitment throughout the bill’s process to provide hardworking North Carolinians and families a path to lifesaving coverage,” noted John Broome, North Carolina Government Relations Director at ACS CAN. "What’s more, we’re proud to see our volunteers’ relentless advocacy result in action with the commitment to move this critical legislation coming just days after advocates were at the capitol.”
Cancer advocates from across the Tar Heel state have advocated for increased eligibility for Medicaid for over a decade. If passed, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina would mark a historic step in health policy and improved survivorship for patients for generations to come.