Get Josh Stein to address healthcare access issue in eastern North Carolina
The Issue
In eastern North Carolina, healthcare is a critical concern. With its vast landscape covering 29 counties and serving over 1.4 million residents, the region is often described as a medical desert. At the heart of this community's healthcare ecosystem is ECU Health, the primary and often sole healthcare provider. As a largely rural area, eastern North Carolina has disproportionately higher rates of poor health outcomes, chronic disease onset, and barriers to healthcare access, such as lower income, all of which put a large strain on the already few-in-number healthcare providers in the region.
Recently, UnitedHealth made a decision that has put an already strained system under unsustainable pressure by declaring ECU Health as out-of-network for its policyholders. This decision directly impacts thousands of residents who now find themselves without adequate healthcare options. UnitedHealth, being the largest health insurance provider in the United States and proportionally significant in eastern North Carolina, holds considerable sway over the accessibility of healthcare in this region.
This petition calls on North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to publicly acknowledge the deep impact this decision has had on healthcare access in the region. The people living in these underserved communities deserve better than becoming collateral damage in corporate negotiations. A public statement from the governor would be a crucial first step in safeguarding healthcare access for all eastern North Carolinians.
We need Governor Stein to prioritize this issue by dealing directly with UnitedHealth and ECU Health, facilitating a resolution that keeps ECU Health in-network for UnitedHealth policyholders. Thousands of lives depend on accessible healthcare services, and it's paramount that this crisis is addressed promptly.
We urge Governor Josh Stein to stand up for his constituents and ensure that the residents of eastern North Carolina do not suffer due to these corporate decisions. Healthcare is a fundamental right, and the people of this region need assurance and action.
Sign this petition to ask Governor Stein to take immediate action to protect our healthcare access in eastern North Carolina.
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The Issue
In eastern North Carolina, healthcare is a critical concern. With its vast landscape covering 29 counties and serving over 1.4 million residents, the region is often described as a medical desert. At the heart of this community's healthcare ecosystem is ECU Health, the primary and often sole healthcare provider. As a largely rural area, eastern North Carolina has disproportionately higher rates of poor health outcomes, chronic disease onset, and barriers to healthcare access, such as lower income, all of which put a large strain on the already few-in-number healthcare providers in the region.
Recently, UnitedHealth made a decision that has put an already strained system under unsustainable pressure by declaring ECU Health as out-of-network for its policyholders. This decision directly impacts thousands of residents who now find themselves without adequate healthcare options. UnitedHealth, being the largest health insurance provider in the United States and proportionally significant in eastern North Carolina, holds considerable sway over the accessibility of healthcare in this region.
This petition calls on North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to publicly acknowledge the deep impact this decision has had on healthcare access in the region. The people living in these underserved communities deserve better than becoming collateral damage in corporate negotiations. A public statement from the governor would be a crucial first step in safeguarding healthcare access for all eastern North Carolinians.
We need Governor Stein to prioritize this issue by dealing directly with UnitedHealth and ECU Health, facilitating a resolution that keeps ECU Health in-network for UnitedHealth policyholders. Thousands of lives depend on accessible healthcare services, and it's paramount that this crisis is addressed promptly.
We urge Governor Josh Stein to stand up for his constituents and ensure that the residents of eastern North Carolina do not suffer due to these corporate decisions. Healthcare is a fundamental right, and the people of this region need assurance and action.
Sign this petition to ask Governor Stein to take immediate action to protect our healthcare access in eastern North Carolina.
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Petition created on May 14, 2026