Governor Roy Cooper will join members of The North Carolina Council on Health Care Coverage for its third meeting today as the Council discusses options and guiding principles to expand access to health care coverage for North Carolinians. The Council is convened by the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, which is led by Dr. Mark McClellan. Council members include bipartisan members of the General Assembly and representatives from a variety of sectors including business, nonprofit and health care.
“The pandemic continues to remind us of the urgency of the Council’s work as we look at opportunities to expand access to health care coverage across the state,” said Governor Cooper. “I am grateful for the tremendous commitment of the Council members and look forward to their recommendations when they conclude their work.”
At today’s meeting Council members will hear from experts on various health care financing options and will discuss guiding principles for expanding access to coverage in North Carolina.
In previous meetings the Council examined issues including Medicaid expansion, access to behavioral health services and options for private insurance market reform. The group also heard from business leaders discussing the many challenges that lack of affordable health care has created for their employees and their businesses.
“This bipartisan group brings a wealth of experience and diverse viewpoints which is a tremendous asset as we consider ways to strengthen our health care system,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “I have been impressed by the progress of the Council and look forward to our ongoing partnership as we work to find solutions that help improve the health of North Carolinians.”
The group will hold its final meeting on Jan. 22 when it will finalize its guiding principles to expand access to health coverage that will be shared with leaders across the state. As of 2019, 17% of adults were uninsured in North Carolina, the 6th highest rate in the U.S.
Members of the media and the public can livestream the Council’s meetings and access meeting materials at healthpolicy.duke.edu/projects/north-carolina-council-health-care-coverage.