At NCAAN, we’re excited and commend CMS for approving the medical debt relief program from the NCDHHS, which has the potential to lift a crushing $4 billion burden off the shoulders of North Carolinians, including a significant number of people living with HIV. Medicaid, the primary insurer for people living with HIV, plays a pivotal role in our community covering 40% of all HIV services nationwide. We urge hospitals to opt in and take an active role in building a healthier and more equitable North Carolina for all.
Medical debt isn’t just a financial issue; it’s a barrier to well-being. It’s particularly concerning that 25% of communities of color in our state are grappling with medical debt, compared to 20% overall. Structural racism has long led to disparities in wealth and health, disproportionately affecting Black North Carolinians, who face higher rates of poverty and chronic conditions like HIV.
NCAAN’s Executive Director, Veleria M. Levy is at the forefront of our organization’s call on hospitals to join this initiative. “By eliminating medical debt, especially for those burdened by HIV-related expenses, hospitals have the power to transform lives.”
Hospitals have the opportunity to turn their commitment to community health into meaningful action. This is a chance to heal not just individual patients but the very fabric of our society. We urge every hospital to embrace this program and help build a fairer, healthier North Carolina.
