HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-04-2017 - 4-d - Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 4, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-d
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of Medicaid in North
Carolina
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Resolution Donna Baker, 245-2130
Commissioner Penny Rich, 245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of
Medicaid in North Carolina.
BACKGROUND: At its November 20, 2017 regular meeting, the Board heard a petition
requesting that the Board consider a resolution supporting a statewide referendum on the
expansion of Medicaid. The State of Maine recently conducted a referendum on this topic.
The attached draft resolution recommends the following referendum 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?"
The table below details income figures based on the 138% federal poverty level (FPL)
referenced in the proposed referendum question.
2017 FPL Guidelines: 48 Border States and D.C.
(For households with more than 8 persons, add $4,180 for each additional person )
Persons in 2017 Federal Medicaid Eligibility Premium Subsidy
Household Poverty Level (138% of FPL) Threshold (400% of FPL)
1 $12,060 $16,643 $48,240
2 $16,240 $22,411 $64,960
3 $20,420 $28,180 $81,680
4 $24,600 $33,948 $98,400
5 $28,780 $39,716 $115,120
6 $32,960 $45,485 $131,840
7 $37,140 $51,253 $148,560
8 $41,320 $57,022 $165,280
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North Carolina has forgone $10.2 billion in federal funds based on the North Carolina General
Assembly's decision to decline Medicaid expansion. It has been projected that those funds
could have provided health care to as many as a half million needy North Carolinians. The state
could potentially miss out on another $13 billion in federal funds over the next decade.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider approving the
attached Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of Medicaid in North
Carolina.
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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.