(Winston-Salem, NC, Wednesday, June 26, 2019) – A new county-by-county report shows that North Carolina’s economy, workforce, and uninsured residents could benefit if the state expands Medicaid. The report was authored by researchers at the George Washington University and funded by Cone Health Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

The report shows that if North Carolina expands Medicaid in 2019: North Carolina could gain more than 37,000 new jobs by 2022; business activity across the state would increase by $11.7 billion by 2022; and 365,000 North Carolinians would gain health insurance coverage. North Carolina currently has an uninsured rate 4% above the national average.

Dr. Laura Gerald, president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in Winston-Salem, explains the findings from this new report.

SOUNDBITE #1:
THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF EXPANDING MEDICAID ARE SIMPLY OVERWHELMING. IT’S A JOB CREATOR AND OPENS THE DOOR TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR MANY OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNINSURED NORTH CAROLINIANS, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT. EXPANDING MEDICAID HELPS INCREASE EMPLOYMENT IN EVERY AREA OF THE STATE—BOTH URBAN AND RURAL—EXPANDING JOBS IN HEALTH CARE AND OTHER SECTORS, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, RETAIL SALES, AND PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGEMENT JOBS.

SOUNDBITE #2:
NORTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF JUST FOURTEEN STATES THAT HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID, AND EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT EXPANSIONS HELP INCREASE ACCESS TO OPIOD ADDICTION TREATMENT AND ADDRESS IMPORTANT HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE. THE EVIDENCE SHOWS EXPANDING MEDICAID WILL IMPROVE POPULATION HEALTH, SUPPORT VULNERABLE NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES AND BOOST THE ECONOMY ACROSS THE STATE.

For more information about the economic impact of Medicaid expansion in your county, visit www.NCMedicaidExpansion.com.