Black Lives Matter.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

NC Family Featured in Video on Need for Medicaid Expansion

Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director · November 7, 2016 · Leave a Comment

By Nina Voli, Duke Divinity School Intern

Although the Affordable Care Act expanded health care coverage to millions of Americans, the Supreme Court ruled that state enrollment in Medicaid expansion was optional. As a result of this decision, 19 states, including North Carolina, declined the funds allocated for expansion, and roughly three million adults nationwide were left in a so-called ‘coverage gap’ between qualifying for Medicaid and accessing affordable health care.

This video shares the story of a North Carolina family caught in this coverage gap, and how one local doctor has chosen to speak out. The Reidsville doctor, Stephen Luking, wrote an open letter to Gov. Pat McCrory and Sen. Phil Berger last spring, begging them to expand Medicaid. Dr. Luking wrote, in part:

There is good reason that nearly every industrialized country in the world provides a basic level of health care for all. For more than 30 years I have watched my patients with no insurance pay a terrible price.

I’ve seen women die of invasive breast cancer and cervical cancer when they couldn’t afford mammograms and preventive checkups.

I’ve hospitalized patients who stopped their medicines so they could pay other bills.

I’ve spoken to the next of kin in funeral homes about symptoms regretfully ignored by those afraid of the cost of evaluation.

You name just about any cancer or serious disease, and I can tell you about uninsured patients who delayed coming to see me, often with disastrous results.

When elected leaders in North Carolina refused Medicaid expansion, they declined federal funds that would have provided insurance coverage to an additional 500,000 people in the state. Many of those who currently lack coverage work in low-wage occupations or are involved in caring for dependent family members, and cannot afford health care for themselves.

The Council continues to work with our partners in calling on NC leaders to save lives by expanding Medicaid to our sisters and brothers in need.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Good Government, Health, Healthcare Reform, Human Rights, N.C. General Assembly

Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

About Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Aleta Payne first joined the Council staff in the spring of 2001 as the Communications Associate. She continues to oversee that work along with development, represents the Council in several partnership efforts, and serves in other administrative roles, as well. Aleta is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in government and foreign affairs and spent much of her early career as a journalist. She has three young adult sons who continue to come home to Cary for dinner, or at least groceries, and two young adult terrier-mix dogs who keep the nest from feeling too empty.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’
Raise the Wage
Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

NC Family Featured in Video on Need for Medicaid Expansion

Latest Tweets

Sign the @afsc_org petition calling on the Biden administration to keep Homestead child detention center in Florida closed! Follow the link to take action >> afsc.org/action/take…

Yesterday

Exciting Event! Register now for the screening of the short documentary: "Braided Prayer." The film tells the story of Abraham Jam, an interfaith folk/world music trio making the case that harmony can be even stronger than unity. Featuring @DavidLaMotte >> crowdcast.io/e/85zwf…

About 2 days ago

Recently, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov until May 15th to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Make sure to visit now to get covered!

About 2 days ago

Just last week, our Governing Board adopted a resolution calling for the removal of Confederate symbols in public squares. As people of faith & conscience, we believe such monuments are a constant reminder of prejudice against black and brown people. >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/iGCX…

About 5 days ago

"Amanda Gorman in her inauguration poem 'The Hill We Climb' begins with the lines: 'When day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?'" Read more of this 2nd Sunday lenten reflection from Elizabeth Brewington >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/pgge…

About 5 days ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Dr. Satcher questioned the structures that have upheld health disparities in our communities. By laying the foundation for this work, we can continue taking meaningful action towards promoting a society where we can all thrive. #BlackHistoryMonth @HHSGov @Surgeon_General pic.twitter.com/zrw2…

About 5 days ago

Amen! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/cornerpr…

About 6 days ago

RT @MAHECwnc There has never been a better time to quit smoking and vaping. Protect your health by keeping your lungs healthy! #quitlinenc #covid19 #asheville pic.twitter.com/bKlC…

About 6 days ago

Check out this new resource from @DrugPolicyOrg challenging us to dig deeper and work together to uproot the drug war. uprootingthedrugwar.… #harmreduction #mindfultogether

About 6 days ago

Dr. Julian's work was instrumental to the public health community. We carry his passion as we continue reckoning with our past so that we may continue building the beloved community. Learn more about Dr. Julian's legacy at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ju…. #BlackHistoryMonth @novapbs pic.twitter.com/JJsm…

Last week

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @greenthechurch Be sure to read Green The Church's COO Kim Noble's op ed, "#EnvironmentalJustice in Focus this #BlackHistoryMonth", in the Texas Metro News! @Kimrenay22 #Austin #DFW #Houston #Texas #SanAntonio #EJ ow.ly/mOtw50DGQnN pic.twitter.com/IPOO…

About 5 days ago

RT @ActionAidUSA To build a truly just, equitable & sustainable world, we need to fight for a new #socialcontract. That means: ✔️ Defending democracy ✔️ Fighting for climate justice ✔️ Building equitable food systems ✔️ Supporting women’s leadership. Learn more: bit.ly/2M8xT40 pic.twitter.com/fEWv…

About 5 days ago

RT @interfaithpower IPL is proud to be a signer on this letter. The U.S. must provide bold and socially just leadership to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, including the threats to our economy- @sbhendershot twitter.com/RealBank…

About 5 days ago

RT @interfaithpower "This is all of our country, this is our mother. It's difficult to not feel obligated to protect this land" - @DebHaalandNM with a powerful reminder of what she believes in. Her passion is exactly what we need right now; the Senate must #ConfirmHaaland! #ConfirmClimate

About 5 days ago

RT @EPA EPA is proud to join our agency partners as we tackle the climate crisis and build a healthier, cleaner, more equitable future for all. Let’s do this! whitehouse.gov/brief…

Last week

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine