Medicaid Is an Important Driver of a Healthier North Carolina, But Not Enough to Dismantle Persistent Health Inequities

Medicaid expansion has improved coverage for low-income North Carolinians, but persistent racial and geographic inequities limit its impact. Despite early gains and innovative social-care pilots, Black and Hispanic communities continue to face barriers to access, continuity, and outcomes. Lasting improvement will require sustained investment in primary care, navigation support, and the social factors that shape health.