Duke University Health System Statement on N.C. State Health Plan and National Academy of State Health Policy Report

DURHAM, North Carolina, Jan. 28 (TNSRep) -- Duke Health issued the following agency statement:

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Duke University Health System is committed to promoting health, wellness, and access to quality affordable care for the people and communities of North Carolina, providing charity care and community benefit investment to ensure that all patients receive the treatment they need.

In FY20, Duke provided a total community benefit and investment of $753 million, a 26% increase from the previous year. Of that cost, $133 million represents financial assistance for 275,752 patients, nearly all of whom call North Carolina home.

Over the past 10 years, Duke provided $4.7 billion in community benefit and investment across the state. Duke's financial assistance and discounted care policies provide eligible care at a discount or without charge to all qualifying patients who do not have health insurance or who cannot pay for care and prohibits lawsuits, liens and other aggressive collection activities on unpaid patient balances.

Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Duke will continue to ensure that all patients are treated equally and receive the highest quality care. The pandemic exacerbated the need for increased access to health care for uninsured North Carolinians, and Duke continues to encourage state leaders to focus on closing the health insurance coverage gap.

North Carolina lawmakers currently have an unprecedented opportunity to provide health care to over 500,000 North Carolinians without insurance through Medicaid expansion, which would drastically reduce the number of uninsured patients. Duke remains steadfast in our mission, vision and values to provide care to our patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay for care.

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REPORT: https://corporate.dukehealth.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/Community%20Benefit%20Report_2021.pdf