World Relief North Carolina Welcomes Medicaid Provision in State Budget While Expressing Concern Over Other Changes 

World Relief North Carolina is encouraged by the inclusion of a provision in North Carolina’s newly enacted state budget that restores Medicaid eligibility for many refugees and other immigrants, despite concerns about other provisions in the budget that could negatively affect vulnerable communities. 

The new law preserves Medicaid coverage for many refugee children, pregnant women, and other immigrants who qualify under federal law and otherwise would have lost coverage beginning in October. 

However, other provisions in the state budget, including changes that redirect funding previously used to support civil legal aid services for low-income North Carolinians and immigrants, could have unintended consequences for vulnerable communities. 

“While we continue to have concerns about other aspects of the budget, we’re encouraged to see this important provision included,” said Adam Clark, executive director of World Relief Durham. “Refugees arrive in North Carolina after fleeing war, persecution, and violence. Access to healthcare helps families heal and rebuild their lives. By ensuring that refugees and other eligible immigrants can continue receiving the care they need, North Carolina is investing in healthier communities and a stronger future for us all.” 

Providing access to healthcare is not only compassionate; it is also a smart investment in North Carolina’s future. Like other North Carolinians, many refugees and other immigrants work, pay state and federal taxes, and contribute to the state’s economy. Access to healthcare helps keep families healthy, strengthens our workforce, and can reduce the need for more costly emergency care. 

Earlier this year, World Relief Durham expressed concern about the passage of House Bill 696, which eliminated North Carolina’s participation in the federal CHIPRA Section 214 option. The newly enacted budget restores those protections. 

Even as World Relief North Carolina welcomes this important progress, the organization believes these gains should not come at the expense of other critical services. Access to legal assistance is also essential to helping vulnerable individuals and families find safety, stability, and a path toward long-term success. 

“We recognize that this budget represents a mix of outcomes for the communities we serve,” said Meagan Khliefat, office director of World Relief Triad. “Although we remain concerned about provisions that could limit support for vulnerable North Carolinians, we are grateful that eligible refugee families and other immigrants will continue to have access to essential healthcare. We also thank the many faith leaders, community organizations, healthcare advocates, and North Carolinians whose advocacy helped make this outcome possible.” 

To engage in advocacy alongside World Relief in North Carolina, visit: worldreliefdurham.org and worldrelief.org/triad/   

About World Relief 

World Relief  is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the displacement crisis in war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across more than 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish. Since the 1970s, World Relief has partnered with local churches to welcome and serve hundreds of thousands of refugees and other immigrants throughout the United States. To learn more, visit  worldrelief.org