We are joining together with a diverse group of organizations for two weeks of action to raise our voices collectively to Senator Berger and Speaker Moore and tell them, "No more excuses. Expand Medicaid now for North Carolina!" Each day different organizations will be making phone calls and sending emails. Our day is Friday, April 17.
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted African Americans and low-income people at an alarming rate. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap will expand health coverage to those who need it most.
Can you call Senator Berger and Speaker Moore today and urge them to expand Medicaid to save our lives and protect our hospitals? Please call them using this patch-through number: 1-855-408-2357.
NOTE: You will have to call this number twice to make both phone calls.
Maybe you prefer to send them an email instead? Check out a sample email below and then email Speaker Moore at Tim.Moore@ncleg.net and Senate Leader Berger at Phil.Berger@ncleg.net about why it’s so important that we expand Medicaid for North Carolina during this public health crisis. Or you can email them through the NC Justice Center portal.
Sample Phone Script for Action Alert: Patch-Through Number: 1-855-408-2357
Senator Berger/Speaker Moore: During the COVID-19 Crisis it is more important than ever that we expand Medicaid for the North Carolinians who are uninsured and need health care. The racial health disparities that existed before COVID-19 have led to African Americans being disproportionately impacted by this pandemic at an alarming rate. Many of our essential workers – who are also majority African American don’t have health coverage, leaving them unprotected even while they serve our communities. Expanding Medicaid will also protect our hospitals which are struggling under the strain of this pandemic. We are all at risk when any of our neighbors, family members or friends can’t get the care they need. We need Medicaid expansion to survive this crisis and beyond.
Sample email message for Action Alert
Dear Senate President Berger/House Speaker Moore,
The racial health disparities that existed before COVID-19 have led to African Americans being disproportionately impacted by this pandemic at an alarming rate. We need to work together to address the health coverage gaps that are leaving North Carolinians unprotected during this public health crisis. Expanding Medicaid is the quickest and easiest way we can ensure the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. This virus has shown us that we are dependent on one another. When people in the coverage gap can’t access the care they need, this makes all of us vulnerable to infection, complications and even death.
Our own health depends on the health of the person next to us, and the person next to them. Protecting the most vulnerable in our society-- the uninsured, the overworked, people who earn low incomes while doing the “essential” work so that we can all survive is fundamental to ensuring that we are all well and healthy. All of us need access to healthcare and have the support we need to be healthy and free from the burden of medical bankruptcy.
When we invest in our healthcare system, we invest in us. Rural healthcare is especially dire in North Carolina. Since 2013, we’ve seen seven rural hospitals close in our state. There have been nine maternity wards that have shuttered their doors and 15 rural hospitals that are vulnerable to closure.
More than ever, North Carolina needs to expand Medicaid as both an economic boost and a public health intervention to provide North Carolinians with the coverage they need to protect their health and financial well-being.
This moment calls on our leadership to come together and unite. Please expand Medicaid.
Sincerely,