Western North Carolina Health Advocates sponsors rally to expand Medicaid June 22

Press release from WNC Health Advocates:

WNCHA TO HOLD EXPAND MEDICAID RALLY, FILM SCREENING

ASHEVILLE – Western North Carolina Health Advocates sponsors Rally to Expand
Medicaid at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Vance Monument, followed by a screening of
the short documentary film, “Meet the People,’ at 4 p.m. at First
Congregational Church on Oak Street.

The North Carolina General Assembly voted last year to reject the expansion
of Medicaid, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, turning away billions
of federal dollars to help pay for access to health care for about 500,000
the most vulnerable people in the state. It is estimated that five to eight
people die prematurely every day from lack of access to care.

Hospitals are losing millions of dollars in reimbursement for indigent care
because of the failure to expand Medicaid, and some hospitals and clinics
will be forced to close from the lack of funding.

Medicaid Expansion would cost the state nothing for the first three years
and then just 10 percent of the cost thereafter.

Come learn more about Medicaid expansion and why North Carolina needs to get
on board.

Bring your stories, along with signs and placards, but keep messages
positive and avoid personal attacks. 

Following the rally, we will move to First Congregational Church on Oak
Street, to watch the short documentary, “Meet the People,” by Hillsborough
filmmaker Carol Edmonds. The film follows several people who would benefit
(or would have benefitted) from Medicaid expansion. 

For information, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail
leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org