HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2013-095 Resolution Urging the NC Gen. Assembly and Gov McCrory to reconsider their decision not to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act RI ES-2J13-095 4B
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Urging the North Carolina General Assembly and Governor McCrory to reconsider
their decision not to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act to provide
coverage for poor and low-income adults
WHEREAS, an estimated 13 percent of Orange County residents (approximately 18,000 people) are
uninsured; and
WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "ACA") expands health insurance
coverage for poor and low-income adults by raising the threshold for Medicaid eligibility to 138
percent of the poverty line ($26,951 for a family of three); and
WHEREAS, the federal government would pay almost the entire cost of expansion— 93 percent over
the first nine years (2014-2022) according to estimates prepared by the bipartisan Congressional
Budget Office; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of Medicaid would provide health insurance coverage to nearly 500,000
low-income residents of North Carolina and would save the State of North Carolina and the counties
and municipalities therein substantial sums on uncompensated medical care for the uninsured; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of Medicaid would bring billions in federal funds to the State and Orange
County over a period of ten years and would create many new jobs in the health care sector in Orange
County and elsewhere in the State; and
WHEREAS,the 2012 Supreme Court Decision upholding the ACA modified the ACA and gave states
the choice of whether to expand their Medicaid programs; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly in February 2013 adopted legislation refusing to
expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA; and
WHEREAS, in Orange County an estimated 7,500 residents (or 42% of the uninsured) who would
have qualified for Medicaid under the Federal expansion are now ineligible for Medicaid and
Marketplace subsidies, leaving them uninsured; and
WHEREAS, under the ACA residents of North Carolina who have incomes ranging from the poverty
level up to four times that amount are eligible for federal tax credits to subsidize the purchase of
private health insurance, but without the expansion of Medicaid those below the poverty level are
ineligible to receive the tax credits, Medicaid or any other assistance with health insurance coverage;
and
WHEREAS, health insurance coverage rates for employers and individuals purchasing private health
insurance coverage in North Carolina will likely rise as hospitals and health care providers throughout
the State absorb the unreimbursed costs of providing health care to the uninsured poor and low-income
adults who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid coverage and as those costs are shifted to private
pay patients; and
WHEREAS, the Orange Board of County Commissioners believes all residents should have access to
quality, affordable health coverage and that expansion of Medicaid coverage under the ACA is a
responsible means of achieving that desired goal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of County Commissioners of Orange
County does hereby urge the North Carolina General Assembly and Governor McCrory to accept
federal funds to expand Medicaid in North Carolina.
This the I day of November 2013.
Barry Jaco r
Earl McKee,Vice Chair
01.. lrn
Alice Gordon
r
Bern a sier
Mar Doro
AL.,i
Re e Price
enny Rich
Attest:
Clerk to the Board _
(County Seal) �a� °����
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