Millions of vulnerable Americans likely to fall off Medicaid once the federal public health emergency ends

With the federal public health emergency ending next month, up to 16 million Americans, including children, may lose Medicaid coverage unless the expanded health care coverage is extended. 

• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed in March 2020, states were prevented from removing Medicaid recipients from the program – giving millions of Americans health care coverage amid the pandemic.

• The scheduled expiration in April has prompted many state governors around the country to demand an extension of the coverage that has expanded telehealth access, extra food aid for low-income families, and allowed millions to have health care coverage.
  
• Despite families across the nation depending on the expanded coverage, Republicans urged the Biden administration in mid-February to end the public health emergency – underscoring the GOP’s reluctance to ensure Americans have access to quality health care.

For now, North Carolina remains one of twelve states that have yet to expand Medicaid. With the federal public health emergency ending soon, now is the time for our lawmakers to guarantee quality health care access for uninsured North Carolinians. From giving much needed health care access to rural North Carolinians, to saving hospitals and creating opportunities for small businesses, the choice couldn’t be any clearer.