FILED SENATE
Apr 1, 2021
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
S.B. 471
SESSION 2021 PRINCIPAL CLERK
S D
SENATE BILL DRS15212-MR-66
Short Title: Increase Veterans Access to Health Care. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators deViere, Crawford, and Davis (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO EXPRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTENT TO INCREASE
3 VETERANS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE IN NORTH CAROLINA BY EXPANDING
4 ELIGIBILITY FOR THE MEDICAID PROGRAM TO VETERANS WITH A MODIFIED
5 ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME THAT IS BELOW ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE
6 FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.
7 Whereas, contrary to popular belief, not all veterans receive health care from the
8 United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and
9 Whereas, many military veterans, especially those in rural areas, face significant
10 barriers to accessing health care services; and
11 Whereas, across the State there are an estimated 30,000 military veterans without
12 health insurance and an additional 23,000 uninsured military spouses and children; Now,
13 therefore,
14 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
15 SECTION 1.(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to expand Medicaid
16 eligibility to the following population of North Carolina veterans:
17 (1) Veterans with a modified adjusted gross income that is below one hundred
18 percent (100%) of the federal poverty level.
19 (2) Veterans who are age 19 or older and under age 65.
20 (3) Veterans who are not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under Part A
21 or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act.
22 (4) Veterans who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage under the
23 North Carolina Medicaid State Plan as it existed on January 1, 2020.
24 SECTION 1.(b) For the purposes of this section, a veteran shall be defined as a
25 North Carolina resident who is entitled to any benefits or rights under the laws of the United
26 States by serving in and discharging honorably from the Armed Forces of the United States.
27 SECTION 2. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the costs associated with
28 Medicaid expansion to the population described under Section 1 of this act shall be paid entirely
29 from the following sources and without assistance from the federal government:
30 (1) The General Fund.
31 (2) An increase in assessments on hospitals similar to the Hospital Provider
32 Assessment Act in Article 7 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes.
33 (3) A tax on prepaid health plan premiums and an assessment on managed care
34 organizations operating in this State.
35 SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.
*DRS15212-MR-66*