Quick Points
- North Carolina has one of the largest uninsured populations in the United States.
- The coverage gap refers to people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to get help in the private insurance marketplace.
- The coverage gap affects those in the working class who are uninsured, as they are more likely to face high out-of-pocket costs that can also lead to medical debt.
- Medicaid expansion would relieve pressure on rural hospitals by reducing the amount of uncompensated care rural hospitals provide to the uninsured.
- Black and Brown communities represent more than half of the uninsured population in North Carolina.
- If North Carolina expands Medicaid, over 600,000 people would gain coverage.