NC Newsline – Bishop William Barber, North Carolina faith leaders and dozens of activists gathered at the N.C. General Assembly Monday to symbolically eulogize the thousands of people that they believe will die as a result of cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs.
Barber said communities are just now beginning to feel the impact of cuts from the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he has dubbed the “Big, Ugly, Deadly, Destructive Bill.” He said the refusal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits could result in 51,000 American lives lost annually.
“Later this week, we will be releasing an open letter to every member of the General Assembly, demanding that every member put down partisan politics and pick up humanity,” said Barber.
Barber said he wants lawmakers to return to Raleigh for an emergency session to address ongoing state cuts to Medicaid and to urge Congress to pass the enhanced ACA subsidies that are set to expire on December 31, 2025.
Barber said the cuts to Medicaid, the loss of the health care tax credits, and the withholding of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown are all examples of “policy violence” inflicted on the most vulnerable.
Nikki Williams came to downtown Raleigh Monday to take part in the symbolic eulogy, with the hope state legislators would understand the importance of strengthening the social safety net.
“I personally receive Medicaid, and without Medicaid, I can’t receive pain management. I can’t go to the dentist,” explained Williams. “I appreciate financial assistance, but it doesn’t cover everything.”
Pushing a rollator with a sign that read “Save Our Healthcare,” Williams shared that she has already heard from friends who have seen their monthly health insurance premiums double without the subsidies in place.
Williams believes those who may find themselves uninsured in the new year will simply turn to the emergency room for primary care. Those with insurance may find themselves paying more to offset the cost of the uninsured.
“Then that means everybody’s fees [cost] going up, so that the doctors can get paid,” said Williams.
It may be a legislative long shot to expect lawmakers to address the Medicaid funding gap before the end of the year, but Williams remains ever hopeful.
“It’s not about having the funds to do it. It’s about not having the willingness to do it,” Williams said. “And they should be ashamed because their people should come first. Their people put them in office. It’s their responsibility to protect them.”
North Carolina has cut payments to Medicaid providers from 3% to 10% this fall. Democratic Governor Josh Stein says those cuts are necessary because state lawmakers failed to fully fund the program. Stein has called on state House and Senate leaders to return to Raleigh and address the funding shortfall.
Republican state lawmakers say those cuts were premature and politically motivated. Both the House and Senate have separately approved plans to fully fund the Medicaid program, but have shown little willingness to reach a compromise that would end a months-long standoff. Earlier this month, Republican legislative leaders refused Stein’s call to hold a special session.
