Health Access Study Group

There are more than 1.5 million North Carolinians who lack health insurance coverage. People who lack health insurance coverage are less likely to receive preventive services, less likely to have a regular medical provider, and more likely to delay seeking necessary care than those with insurance coverage. As a result, they often end up using the emergency department for routine care or in the hospital with conditions that could have been prevented if treated earlier. The uninsured in North Carolina generally fall into one of three groups: 1) low-income adults, 2) people who work for small businesses (with 25 or fewer employees), and 3) children (many of whom are already eligible for public programs).

2009-2010

The North Carolina General Assembly directed the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) to continue the work of the 2008-2009 Health Access Study Group "to study issues related to cost, quality, and access to appropriate and affordable health care for all North Carolinians." Additionally, the Study Group was asked "to monitor federal health-related legislation to determine how the legislation would impact cost, quality, and access to health care" in North Carolina. (Section 10.78 of Session Law 2009-451). The study group began meeting in October of 2009 and will continue to meet throughout 2010. The Study Group will report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee in January 2011. Rep. Hugh Holliman, Sen. Doug Berger and Dr. Allen Dobson serve as co-chairs of the study group.

2008-2009

The North Carolina General Assembly directed the NCIOM to convene a panel to "study issues related to access to appropriate and affordable health care for all North Carolinians." (Sec. 31 of Session Law 2008-181, 2008 Studies Act) The NCIOM was directed to"seek the advice and consultation of State and national experts in health care economics, health care systems development, health care delivery, health care access, indigent health care, medical education, health care finance, and other relevant areas of expertise." (Sec. 32 of Session Law 2008-181, 2008 Studies Act) The Study Group considered, in addition to other options, recommendations made by the NC IOM Covering the Uninsured and Healthcare Safety Net Task Forces. The Study Group reported its recommendations to the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee and the North Carolina General Assembly. Rep. Hugh Holliman, Sen. Tony Rand and Dr. Allen Dobson served as co-chairs of the study group.