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

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

What We Know

The claim that Medicaid expansion reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% in North Carolina clinics is based on data regarding the state's Medicaid expansion, which became effective in December 2023. According to a study published in the Preventive Care Needs of the North Carolina Medicaid Expansion Population, the authors analyzed survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) for the years 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. They reported that as of 2022, approximately 36.7% of the newly eligible Medicaid expansion population reported having a regular source of care, indicating a significant number of uninsured individuals remained even after expansion (Spencer et al.).

The study estimated that around 294,000 individuals would fall into the Medicaid expansion category, yet many still faced unmet preventive care needs. The data suggests that while there was a reduction in uninsured rates, the exact figures of 50% to 33% are not explicitly supported by the findings, which indicate a more complex picture of insurance coverage and access to care in North Carolina.

Analysis

The claim's accuracy hinges on the interpretation of the data regarding uninsured rates before and after Medicaid expansion. The assertion that uninsured patients decreased from 50% to 33% implies a straightforward reduction, which the available data does not fully support. The study indicates that while Medicaid expansion is expected to cover many individuals who were previously uninsured, the actual percentage of those with a regular source of care remains significantly lower than the claim suggests.

The study's methodology involved a repeat cross-sectional analysis that included various demographic factors and health service utilization rates. However, it is important to note that the data reflects a snapshot in time and may not capture the full impact of the Medicaid expansion immediately after its implementation (Spencer et al.). Additionally, the study highlights ongoing challenges, such as a high number of unmet preventive care needs among the newly eligible population, which suggests that the expansion alone may not be sufficient to ensure comprehensive coverage or access to care.

The source of this information, the Preventive Care Needs of the North Carolina Medicaid Expansion Population, is a peer-reviewed article, which adds credibility to its findings. However, the interpretation of the data must be approached with caution, as the authors themselves indicate that the Medicaid expansion population has significant unmet needs and that the transition to Medicaid presents both opportunities and challenges for health care access (Spencer et al.).

Conclusion

The claim that Medicaid expansion reduced uninsured patients from 50% to 33% in North Carolina clinics is Partially True. While there is evidence that Medicaid expansion has the potential to reduce the number of uninsured individuals, the specific figures cited in the claim are not directly supported by the available data. The percentage of uninsured patients is more complex, with many individuals still lacking a regular source of care and facing unmet health needs even after the expansion.

Sources

1. Preventive Care Needs of the North Carolina Medicaid Expansion Population
2. National Health Statistics Reports - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3. Who’s eligible for Medicaid? - HHS.gov
4. What is the Medicaid program? - HHS.gov
5. What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? - HHS.gov
6. Where can I find a doctor that accepts Medicare and Medicaid? - HHS.gov
7. 2025 Federal Poverty Level Standards | Guidance Portal
8. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in Brief - HHS.gov