Advocates Rally for Medicaid Funding to Ensure Healthcare Access in North Carolina

Advocacy for Medicaid Funding in North Carolina

In a powerful display of unity and purpose, more than 250 advocates convened last week to kick off a Day of Action focusing on the urgent need to restore funding for Medicaid in North Carolina. Following the rally, over 500 individuals proceeded to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office to deliver a crucial message: the state must fund the Medicaid rebase and reverse harmful cuts that threaten the ability of vulnerable individuals to access healthcare.

The coalition included not just advocates and family caregivers, but also vital home care workers and various individuals reliant on Medicaid-funded services to maintain safe and independent living. The compelling personal stories shared by participants underscored the real-life ramifications of inaction; they revealed how cuts to Medicaid not only jeopardize health but also endanger the dignity and independence of those affected.

Senator Lisa Grafstein, addressing the gathering of advocates, emphasized the pressing need for lawmakers to be proactive in securing necessary funding for Medicaid. Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming turnout and bipartisan acknowledgment of the issue, lawmakers left without a resolution. The atmosphere was tense and charged with frustration as advocates recognized that vulnerable populations and the dedicated workforce supporting them continued to face an uncertain future.

Mary Mac Jenkins, a heart-wrenching voice among the advocates, stated, “When I learned that the General Assembly left Raleigh without acting to fully fund Medicaid… I was heartbroken. And frankly, I was angry. How can we turn our backs on the most vulnerable among us?” Her words articulated the sentiments resonating among many, reflecting a collective hurt caused by neglecting critical healthcare needs.

In response to the lack of concrete action from lawmakers, Hearts for Home Care issued a heartfelt letter to Governor Stein and other legislative leaders, urging them to prioritize restoring essential Medicaid funding for home care services. The message was clear: It is time to act.

Dave Totaro, Executive Director of Hearts for Home Care, reiterated the importance of personal connection in advocacy. “Our advocates showed up to put faces on this issue,” he expressed passionately. “It’s time to fund the Medicaid rebase and reverse the cuts, to protect families, stabilize our care system, and strengthen communities across North Carolina.”

Hearts for Home Care is a dedicated social welfare advocacy organization focused on promoting home and community-based care. Their mission encompasses empowering caregivers and ensuring individuals across age and ability spectrums can live with dignity and autonomy in their own homes.

As the advocacy gears up, the community looks forward to the potential of rallying support from state leaders for Medicaid funding, emphasizing that every voice counts in the ongoing fight to secure a healthier future for all North Carolinians.

For more information about Hearts for Home Care and to join the movements advocating for home care services, visit Hearts for Home Care.