The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010 to make health insurance available for more citizens. Sadly, we continue to find too many people falling through the cracks in the healthcare system. Our patients do not qualify for help through the Health Insurance Marketplace or other programs.
In North Carolina, Medicaid is available for children in low-income families, pregnant women and family planning, the blind, and the disabled. The ACA gives subsidies, or financial help, to those with incomes between 101-400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($11,670-$46,680 for a single person). But if someone’s gross income is below 100% of FPL, they are ineligible for any subsidy.
During the ACA open enrollment periods, we work with volunteers from NC Legal Aid to help people enroll in coverage that is available to them. We also continue to have volunteers available to help people navigate through the maze of accessing healthcare services and insurance.
Even with the ACA providing insurance coverage to 25 million more Americans over the next 10 years, the federal government estimates that 31 million people will still lack insurance by 2023. There are also expected to be more gaps including some services still being unaffordable, limited provider availability, and services that are not covered (including dental care).
As our healthcare system evolves, we continue to strive to provide services to our neighbors in need. If you want to learn more about our services offered, please refer to our Services page. For more information about getting involved, please click here to see how you can make a big difference in our community.