North Carolina Expands Medicaid, Helping 600,000 Residents 

By Consumers for Quality Care, on December 20, 2023

North Carolina recently joined 39 other states in expanding Medicaid, Healthcare Dive reported.  

After debating Medicaid expansion for more than a decade, state legislators found middle ground and broadened Medicaid coverage to include 600,000 more people. This expansion targets low-income residents who previously earned too much to be eligible for traditional Medicaid but too little to be eligible for federal subsidies for plans in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange.  

Now, only 10 states remain that have yet to expand their Medicaid programs. If they were to do so, roughly 3.5 million uninsured and underinsured Americans would be expected to gain coverage.  

North Carolina’s expansion aims to reduce its rate of uninsured residents, which currently stands at just under 10 percent. Experts predict that Medicaid expansion will improve outcomes across the health care system in the Tar Heel State.  

CQC urges the remaining 10 states to expand Medicaid services so that consumers who need it most have access to affordable, high-quality health care.