Thousands of foster and adopted children across North Carolina are currently facing barriers to specialty eye care due to issues between Duke Eye Center and the Healthy Blue Children and Families Specialty Plan.

Families are reporting canceled appointments, year-long waitlists, long travel distances, and children being denied continued care. Some foster parents have even reported being told they cannot pay out of pocket to keep scheduled appointments.

These are not just inconveniences. These are vulnerable children, many with trauma histories, disabilities, ASD, IEPs, and ongoing medical needs, losing access to one of the best eye care systems in the country.

We understand that contracting and reimbursement negotiations can be complex. This petition is not about attacking one side or the other. Duke Eye Center deserves to be paid fairly for the services they provide, and children deserve timely access to medically necessary care.

We are simply asking Duke Eye Center and Healthy Blue to work together toward a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of foster and adopted children across North Carolina.

Our children have already been through enough. Access to specialty medical care should not become another obstacle they have to overcome.