HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2017-076 Resolution of Support for a Referendum on the Expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina PAF
RES-2017-076
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR A 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.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Orange County Commissioners
tha this resolution is effective upon appr al. Upon motion of Commissioner
, seconded by C mmissioner � , the foregoing resolution was
adopted this the)day of , 2017.
I, Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North
Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the
proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on Qp,o . LIP , 2017, as relates in
any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said 'p roceedings are recorded in
Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, the d of 017.
# Donna S. Baker
Clerk to the Board
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