Solving health insurance crisis for laid off mill workers was no small feat

Awards were presented to Jan Plummer with Mountain Projects, Celesa Willett of United Way of Haywood County and Mebane Rash, founder of EducationNC — who was dubbed the "architect" of the recovery though her work was largely behind the scenes.

When mill workers lost their jobs, it immediately put their health coverage in jeopardy. The cost of staying on the Pactiv Evergreen policy out-of-pocket was an exorbitant $2,400 monthly for a family of four.

Thanks to the Milltown Health Care Initiative, nearly 200 families got financial assistance to lessen the devastating blow, while even more were helped with the process of finding different insurance.

Rash, Plummer and Willett were key players in the effort to locate financial resources and provide health insurance assistance for dislocated workers and their families, said David Francis, the county's economic development director who arranged the awards presentation.

"When things happen beyond our control, we see what a small group can do to change lives," he said. "We need to honor some of the hard work done this year."

Grants totaling $1.1 million were secured from Dogwood Health Trust and the Haywood Healthcare Foundation, providing mill workers with up to $500 per family member per month through the end of the year to offset health insurance costs.

"When we all started brainstorming ideas, we never knew money would be available to help workers keep their insurance," Plummer said. "This money gave the community a spirit of hope. It was a beautiful experience."

Plummer and Willett tag-teamed to get assistance to those who needed it. Mountain Projects health care navigators worked with families to find the best health insurance options and United Way handled the payments.

Mountain Projects generated 1,000 documents that led to $521,000 in health insurance reimbursements for workers, Plummer told commissioners. In all, 187 families were assisted.

"People were very grateful for the funds," Plummer said. "They kept their insurance, been to the hospital and were able to be treated without losing everything."

Following a textile factory closure in Kannapolis, there were dozens of suicides, according to Kannaplois leaders who journeyed to Haywood to share their lessons learned during a forum hosted by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards.

"We have not had any suicides (in Haywood) as far as I know," Plummer said.

Not all families opted to pay out of pocket to stay on the company health insurance. Some found other insurance options, while a large percentage got insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace.

In addition to the grant funds, Plummer estimated mill workers and their families saved an additional $500,000 thanks to subsidies through the Affordable Care Act.

Willett said the grant funds also helped in other ways. She related a story about a family where the husband was injured and help was needed to make a mortgage payment. Willett said when she took a check to the bank to make the payment, the teller asked her to wait a moment, and another bank employee came to the desk. It was that employee's mortgage that was being paid.

Another family was ineligible for health insurance through the marketplace because of his cancer diagnosis. His family is being helped until he's eligible for Medicare in October, Willett said.

Plummer said when she started working with the dislocated workers, it was all about helping them, but she realized she benefitted, too.

"I didn't know the blessings I would receive and the miracles I would see," she said. "And to see the joy of mill workers still doing their Christmas charity baskets for the community. It's an amazing testimony to their resilience."

Behind the scene 'architect'

Francis mentioned several others who were a key part of the response, including Susan Mimms with Dogwood Health, Lisa Morris with NC Works, Haywood Community College President Shelley White and Blue Cross/Blue Shield officials.

He credited White with introducing the community to Rash, who turned out to have resources from across the state — both financial and talent — that she brought to the table.

"If Haywood County had an angel in 2023, it's Mebane Rash," Francis said.

Rash provided the county with a study undertaken in the aftermath of the Pillowtex factory closure in Kannapolis.

"I read that and knew we had to do something more. If there was an architect to the success Haywood County has had as we have maneuvered through this, I cannot begin to thank Mebane," Francis said.

White said she came to understand that Rash is champion for all, providing hope and mostly working behind the scenes to advance education or bridge the gap for access to healthcare.

"Mebane helped the local team strategize and make important connections to receive remarkable results," White said. "She always had an uplifting word. Her work with us will have an impact over generations."

Haywood County Schools Superintendent Trevor Putnam likewise sang Rash's praises, noting she was the one who urged the school system to ask the General Assembly for $3 million in funding and to undertake a 10-year study to plan for the future.

"Here I was a new superintent without a clue on how to handle this," he said "She challenged me to be brave and to be bold. While I sat there thinking about what we lost, she's thinking about what can be gained and how to do that."

Haywood Schools are in a better place now than ever "because of the architect," he added.

Rash, who was unaware she had been invited to the commissioners meeting to receive an award, spoke of the unparalleled opportunities available in Haywood and praised county leaders for their response to negative economic news.

"As much as we wanted to support these people and this state, we needed this place to be a beacon to the rest of the state," she said.

The commissioners and those at the meeting gave the three a standing ovation.

Commission Chairman Kevin Ensley recalled the morning after the mill closure announcement, when stunned community stakeholders were on a conference call trying to figure out what to do.

"We had the right people administering the program," Ensley said. "Ten years from now, we'll look back and see we came through this great and things will be OK."

Ensley also recognized Francis for his work.

"David has always put Haywood County first," he said. "You could be doing something else right now, but you are here and Haywood County is better off because of your hard work. When I talk to your peers, they really appreciate your knowledge, and it's really shown through this — though we can't really say some things because they are confidential. I know we are on track because of the work you've done."

Commissioner Tommy Long, who lost his mill job with the Pactiv Evergreen closure, spoke highly of the insurance program and said he referred a number of his coworkers there for help.

Commissioners Brandon Rogers and Terry Ramey also thanked the group for their work, while Commissioner Jennifer Best said "thank you feels a bit inadequate."

"It's rare in the world we live in to participate in a founding fathers moment," she said. "We have an opportunity to set a new course in Haywood County. We leaned so heavily on the mill being here. It is just an honor to serve with you and participate in how we are hopefully setting a correct course for Haywood County for years to come. I appreciate your passion and thank to you individually and all who have helped our community."

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