Health Insurance for the Newly Unemployed

By Jessica Coscia

April 19, 2020 4:04AM

RALEIGH, N.C. -- As the economy continues to suffer from the coronavirus pandemic, a historic number of hard-working North Carolinians are still losing their jobs -- and also potentially their health insurance.

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, “Even though some employers have pledged to keep furloughed employees on their health plans, the longer the stay-at-home and nonessential business orders are in place, the more likely the workers could be dropped from coverage.”

“Insurers and health-care groups and advocates are attempting to get the word out about enrolling on the federal health exchange or Medicaid. That’s because President Donald Trump chose in late March not to open marketplace enrollment for anyone wanting health-insurance coverage.”

“Everyone in North Carolina should be able to access affordable health-care coverage, and that is especially true in the midst of this global pandemic,” said Casey Wilkinson, the executive director of Piedmont Rising, a left-leaning public-health advocacy group. “While (Republican) Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr have repeatedly voted to put health care out of reach for too many North Carolinians, they can take action now by calling on President Trump to reverse course and open a special open enrollment period.

“There’s no reason, other than political games, why North Carolinians without insurance shouldn’t be able to gain coverage for themselves and their families immediately,” Wilkinson said.

About Piedmont Rising

Piedmont Rising is a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues they were elected to represent. www.piedmontrising.org

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