WASHINGTON, DC – April 4, 2022 – An Urban Institute report estimated up to 12.9 million Americans could lose their Medicaid coverage if the public health emergency is not extended beyond April 16^th. The federal government provided federal aid to states on the condition that they would not remove people from Medicaid until the COVID-19 pandemic is over in order to maintain health coverage during this emergency. Medicaid sign-ups have increased to 78.9 million as of November, the most recent figure available. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not announced a decision on whether to extend the public health emergency, although the agency has extended the emergency every 90 days.

The end of the health emergency would affect the health care industry because federal agencies created temporary initiatives to subsidize private health insurance, improve access to telehealth, provide additional funding to hospitals and make it easier for companies to bring products to the market under emergency use. These programs will cease when the emergency ends.

People who lose their Medicaid coverage may not be aware they can qualify for other programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, subsidized coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, or Medicare. The federal government has encouraged states to coordinate with community organizations to educate people who might lose coverage. State Medicaid agencies will have 12 months to check the eligibility of every person and notify those who no longer qualify.

States can lose more than one half million jobs and $54 billion in economic output due to the loss of Medicaid coverage. Leighton Ku, a George Washington University professor said, “More money ends up flowing into the state and helps make sure that hospitals and doctor’s offices have money to pay for their staff”.

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

RALEIGH, NC – April 4, 2022 – New mothers can now receive full Medicaid coverage for one year after delivery, as a new bipartisan state law expanding services took effect last week. This is a provision included in last year’s state budget extending postpartum Medicaid benefits from 60 days. According to the CDC, many pregnancy-related deaths occur from 60 days to 1 year postpartum and are preventable such as post-partum depression and mental health issues. Most pregnant women and those whose pregnancies have ended will receive full Medicaid benefits, not just the maternity-focused benefit as previously provided. Deputy Secretary for North Carolina Medicaid Dave Richard said in a press release, “This extended coverage is an important component to help improve the health of families in our state.”

Postpartum Medicaid benefits for people who gave birth have been expanded during the pandemic due to a provision in the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, which covers new parents until the end of the federal COVID public health emergency on April 16^th. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 gave states the ability and the money to extend postpartum coverage to 12 months.

While the state has expanded Medicaid for pregnant people, it has yet to expand Medicaid for the remainder of low-income workers, low-income people with children, and people with disabilities. Currently, North Carolina is one of just 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid. Medicaid expansion became possible as a result of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. However, the North Carolina state legislature has formed a bipartisan committee to study Medicaid expansion and access to health care as required by the 2022 state budget signed by Governor Cooper. Medicaid expansion would increase coverage of households with an income below 100% of the federal poverty line to 138%, providing healthcare access to one-half million more people. Dave Richard opines, “I hope we can build on this important step by expanding Medicaid in North Carolina to further support maternal health and reduce infant mortality by improving health before the pregnancy.”

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 5, 2022 – Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from April 5 indicate:

• There are 40 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days. There have been no significant changes for the past 3 weeks.
• 66% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. This is unchanged for almost 2 months
• There are fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU patients over the past week.
• The CDC reports that the risk level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending April 7.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for the Metropolitan Sewer District for Buncombe County is mildly rising for the time period ending March 30^th. The CDC website reports that it is decreasing for the time period ending April 5th. This may be predictive of a falling case rate one week later.

On April 5, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update and Public Health Director Stacie Saunders briefed the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The update will be posted less frequently, once a month, because of the improving COVID situation. Stacie Saunders will brief the Board once a month for 1 to 2 more months. In the report she said “Be aware of symptoms or exposure to those with COVID-19 and get tested if you have been exposed or feel ill. If you are high risk for severe illness, talk to your provider about COVID treatment options.” The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services. An equity-focused vaccination effort to reach underserved rural communities and populations will expand with the addition of a mobile vaccination van. The federal “Test to Treat” program has expanded to urgent care centers and local pharmacies. There are 6 locations within 10 miles of Asheville. Present and future locations are on the national Health & Human Services website. This is a one stop process that allows for testing, assessment, prescription, and treatment to take place at one convenient location making access easier and removing barriers to care.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Mask wearing is recommended for persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Governor Cooper’s executive order requires everyone to wear a mask in “high risk” settings like health care facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]