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).
The North Carolina General Assembly directed the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (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.
