Fact Check: Medicaid expansion has reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% in North Carolina.

Fact Check: "Medicaid expansion has reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% in North Carolina."

What We Know

Medicaid expansion is a provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that allows states to expand Medicaid eligibility to cover more low-income individuals. As of now, North Carolina has not fully expanded Medicaid, which means that the claim regarding a reduction in uninsured patients from 50% to 33% due to Medicaid expansion may not be accurate. According to the HHS.gov, Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into specific eligibility groups recognized by federal and state law.

North Carolina's Medicaid program currently covers specific groups, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities, but does not include the broader population that would be covered under a full expansion. This limitation suggests that the state has not seen the same level of uninsured rate reduction as states that have fully embraced Medicaid expansion.

Analysis

The claim that Medicaid expansion has reduced the uninsured rate from 50% to 33% in North Carolina lacks supporting evidence, primarily because North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. According to the HHS.gov, eligibility for Medicaid varies by state, and North Carolina has opted not to expand its program. Therefore, any reduction in the uninsured rate attributed to Medicaid expansion in this state would be misleading.

Additionally, the uninsured rate in North Carolina was approximately 14% in recent years, according to various reports, which contradicts the claim of a 50% starting point. The assertion that the uninsured rate dropped to 33% due to Medicaid expansion is not substantiated by reliable data, as the state has not implemented such an expansion.

The sources used for this analysis are credible, as they come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the federal agency responsible for overseeing Medicaid and Medicare programs. However, they do not provide specific data on uninsured rates in North Carolina that would support the claim.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim that Medicaid expansion has reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% in North Carolina is misleading. North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, and thus any changes in the uninsured rate cannot be attributed to such an expansion. Further research is needed to provide accurate statistics on the uninsured rate in North Carolina and to clarify the impact of Medicaid policies in the state.

Sources

1. Who’s eligible for Medicaid? - HHS.gov
2. What is the Medicaid program? - HHS.gov
3. What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? - HHS.gov
4. Where can I find a doctor that accepts Medicare and Medicaid? - HHS.gov
5. 2025 Federal Poverty Level Standards | Guidance Portal
6. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in Brief - HHS.gov
7. How do I enroll in Medicare? - HHS.gov
8. How to Use Medicaid to Assist Homeless Persons | HHS.gov