There’s a history of health care failures in North Carolina! It’s so past time we shared health care with all North Carolinians! As my husband and I were treated medically, both of us recently, I am reminded of how thankful, at our age, we have Medicare and a Medicare supplement so we can afford to be treated. In today’s world of Covid, cancer, heart issues, mental issues, child health concerns, and on and on, it’s difficult to imagine how tragic it would be not to have access to health care.

North Carolina’s hard-earned tax dollars are already paying for improved health care for all North Carolinians. Because the N.C. Republican-controlled state legislators have refused to expand Medicaid, we are one of only 11 states that are still forfeiting state tax receipts, yours and mine, to the tune of $4 billion per year, $40 billion over the past decade, to other states for their health care. That’s right, our tax dollars are paying for health care for people in other states. 

On top of this, more of our tax dollars must be used to foot the bill for those without medical insurance who have little choice but to visit Emergency Rooms that are more expensive than regular doctor visits. Folks, we’re actually paying double. (Many of us remember that N.C. Senator Tom Tillis led the original refusal to expand Medicaid when he was Speaker of the state House.) How foolish, cruel and short-sighted. With Medicaid Expansion, over 500,000 of our citizens who are most in need would be eligible for health care they so desperately could use.

It’s so past time to expand Medicaid in North Carolina! Vote for Democrats and make health care a priority for North Carolinians. We deserve it and are already paying for it! NC Rep. Joe Sam Queen and Gov. Roy Cooper have been fighting hard to expand Medicaid but they need our help. Make 2021 the year Medicaid Expansion is finally passed in NC. Vote Democrats up and down the ballot! They care about our health care!

Carolyn Cagle

Sylva