CHARLOTTE — An group that studies health policy called KFF says that more than 13% of adults in North Carolina have medical debt. With that number, North Carolina is one of the states with the most hospital debt.
On Monday afternoon, Gov. Roy Cooper talked about what is being done to help people across the state deal with their medical bills.
There was a lot of stress for many people, so Gov. Cooper said, “I am so happy for those who are finally getting this off their shoulders.”
This summer, federal officials agreed to his plan to give hospitals extra money from Medicaid in exchange for forgiving some of their old medical debt.
Cooper said that the scheme could help more than two million low-income people get rid of $4 billion in debt.
Since August, all 99 North Carolina hospitals that are eligible have decided to take part.
Even though there are efforts to get rid of old debt, medical bills are still affecting thousands of families across North Carolina.
“I’ve been pushed by my husband.” Visit the emergency room. Visit the emergency room. That’s where they told me to go, so I did. Natacha Sheldon, who lives in Shelby, said, “I was in the ER.”
The qualified nurse took the news of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer surprisingly well.
“I went to sleep because I was tired, and when I woke up in the morning, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a nice bed.'” “Then I realized, ‘Damn, I have cancer,'” she said. “Then let’s take care of it, okay?”
Her husband, who has health problems himself, was shocked and upset.
“We’ve been together.” Our tears have been mixed. Sheldon said, “I’m sorry,” with tears in his eyes. “We know what’s going to happen mentally, physically, and financially.”
Since she was diagnosed, Cindy’s family has had to go back and forth between Shelby and Charlotte for treatments. Her cancer treatments are paid for by her insurance, but she has to pay $1,000 out of pocket for liver problems.
“We live from pay check to pay check.” This doesn’t last long.
Since the couple isn’t sure if they will have insurance, they are now asking their community for help. Natacha has set up a GoFundMe page, as have hundreds of other people in North Carolina who need money to pay for hospital bills.
“It’s very moving that they would send what they did, knowing what they were going through,” she said.
The couple says they have always paid their medical bills on time, and they also want to avoid getting behind, so they plan to sell some of their things. So far, they’ve been able to pay their bills, but they’re afraid of what might happen next.
Pete said, “Ah, the insurance company. They should give more because they take.” “North Carolinians are or even people all over the country. “We are in pain.”
The couple is very sure that their insurance should cover more than just medical costs. For example, they think it should cover the cost of getting to and from treatments.
