LUMBERTON, NC (11/1/2022) – “I’ve worked in offices my whole adult life. I like to think I’m pretty smart. But, when I lost my job during the pandemic and had to figure out how to get health insurance for myself and my son, I found that the system is overwhelming and confusing. I wish I’d had someone who could explain it to me, and make it less scary.” CS, a parent in North Carolina.
Over a million people in North Carolina do not have health insurance. In Bladen, Hoke, and Robeson Counties, the communities served by Lumber River United Way, the rate of working adults who do not have health insurance sits between 10 and 20 percent.
Uninsured people are less likely to access preventative care for conditions including diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. They are more likely to face long-term debt for medical treatment after accidents or unexpected health crises. And, people without health insurance are more likely to die younger. With a grant from the Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust, Lumber River United Way has created a health benefits coaching program. A certified application counselor can answer questions you might have about eligibility for medicaid, CHIP, or ACA plans. We can even help with the process of sorting through ACA plans and applying for financial assistance with monthly premiums.
Open Enrollment runs November 1 – January 15. People who have certain life events can apply for ACA plans outside the Open Enrollment period. For more information, call Margaret Crites, Community Engagement Manager, at 910-739-4244.
About Lumber River United Way
We unite to create positive, lasting change for people in need. We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to solving the most pressing health and human service needs by assisting people in Bladen, Hoke, and Robeson Counties. We work every day to achieve our vision and mission by focusing on the three foundations for building better lives: Health, Education, and Financial Stability.
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