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

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

What We Know

The claim that Medicaid expansion in North Carolina has reduced the percentage of uninsured patients from 50% to 33% requires careful examination. Medicaid is a state and federally funded program designed to provide health coverage to low-income individuals and families, with eligibility varying by state (HHS.gov). North Carolina has not yet expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which means that the state has not adopted the option to cover a broader range of adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, as many other states have done (HHS.gov).

As of now, the uninsured rate in North Carolina is estimated to be around 9.7% according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which does not align with the claim of a 50% uninsured rate prior to any Medicaid expansion (HHS.gov). Therefore, the assertion that Medicaid expansion has led to a reduction from 50% to 33% is not supported by current data.

Analysis

The claim appears to be based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the current status of Medicaid in North Carolina. The state has not implemented Medicaid expansion, which is a critical factor in assessing the claim. The assertion of a reduction in uninsured rates from 50% to 33% implies that there was a significant increase in coverage due to Medicaid expansion, which is not the case since the expansion has not occurred.

Additionally, the sources used to evaluate this claim, including the HHS.gov and HHS.gov, provide foundational information about Medicaid eligibility and the program's structure but do not indicate any recent changes in North Carolina's Medicaid status that would support the claim.

The credibility of the sources is generally high, as they are official government publications from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, the lack of specific data regarding changes in uninsured rates directly attributable to Medicaid expansion in North Carolina indicates that further research is necessary to substantiate any claims regarding the impact of Medicaid expansion on uninsured rates.

Conclusion

Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that Medicaid expansion in North Carolina has reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% is not supported by the current status of Medicaid in the state, as North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. Furthermore, the reported uninsured rate does not align with the figures presented in the claim. Therefore, more comprehensive research and data are needed to accurately assess the impact of Medicaid expansion on uninsured rates in North Carolina.

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