MEDICAID REPORT PART 1: The Current Costs of Health Care in N.C.
NC already has some of the most expensive health care in the country. Refusing to expand Medicaid will keep health care expensive.
- NC is the second most expensive state for health care overall and NC residents who buy their own health care pay the third highest monthly premiums in the nation.
- Forgoing Medicaid expansion will cost NC about $40 billion, some of which is federal taxpayer dollars from North Carolinians funding Medicaid in other states.
- The federal government will cover 90 percent of the costs of Medicaid in expansion states forever. Currently it only covers half of the cost in NC.
- Premiums for people who buy their own health insurance are7 percent lower in states that have expanded Medicaid.
- Uncompensated care costs at hospitals are lower in Medicaid expansion states where more people are insured and thus able to pay hospital bills for emergency care.
- Medicaid work rules will increase uncompensated care costs for hospitals.
- Federal taxes paid by NC residents are going to other states.
- Instead of saving money, Medicaid work requirements can add to health care costs and waste taxpayer dollars.
- Work requirements could cost anywhere from $70 million to $170 million to implement and could more than double monthly premiums.
- Not closing the gap will make health care even more expensive in NC.
Read the full report here.