Agenda - 12-04-2017 - 4-d - Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina

Browse Search

3 RES-2017-076 Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FORA REFERENDUM ON THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IN NORTH CAROLINA WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Affordable Care Act and rulings by the United States Supreme Court the states may elect to expand Medicaid coverage to provide healthcare coverage to low income residents in a coverage gap who don't otherwise qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies or traditional Medicaid; and WHEREAS, to date, North Carolina has declined to join the majority of states in expanding Medicaid eligibility for low income residents; and WHEREAS, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation issue brief authored by Rachel Garfield and Anthony Damico more than 200,000 low income North Carolinians, as of 2016, who are in the coverage gap and cannot obtain healthcare would be eligible for coverage if Medicaid were expanded in the state; and WHEREAS, the majority of those North Carolinians in the coverage gap consist of people from working poor families meaning "either they or a family member is employed but still living below the poverty line;" and WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the North Carolina General Assembly ensure adequate access to healthcare exists for all North Carolinians, not just those who can afford to pay for it; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina does hereby endorse the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina requests the North Carolina General Assembly submit via referendum to the voters of North Carolina the question, "Shall the State of North Carolina expand Medicaid to provide healthcare coverage for qualified adults under age 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level?" Adopted this the 4th day of December, 2017.