11/16 Letters: Give low-income families options for affordable health care

Regarding “Message from Va. to NC – expand Medicaid” (Nov. 12): The General Assembly has refused Medicaid expansion numerous times without a compelling case to support this inaction. As more families suffer from the effects of being uninsured, the arguments against expansion weaken. North Carolina residents work hard every day and need access to health care now. There are approximately 400,000 people in our state who can’t access affordable health care coverage. Their incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid without the expansion, yet their incomes are also too low to qualify for subsidies in the federal health insurance exchange.

An innovative solution, Carolina Cares (HB 662), is an alternative to Medicaid expansion that would provide an insurance option for low-income families. It requires a commitment to preventive care and wellness practices, as well as modest premiums and co-payments. It is worthy of prompt consideration and action.

Our working families deserve accessible and affordable health care now. It is crucial to the future of our state. Medicaid expansion or Carolina Cares would be a big step in the right direction. Recent elections in other states should be audible to the members of the General Assembly. People are fed up.

ADU infrastructure

Regarding “ ‘Granny flats’ won’t get an earlier look” (Nov. 9): Praise is due the Planning Commission, the Growth and Natural Resources Committee and the City of Raleigh’s Planning Department for giving careful thought to the issues regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). What appears absent in recent reporting is information on the impact on the infrastructure in older neighborhoods and to adjoining properties.

Raleigh residents living along streams and creeks are well aware of the increased volume of water during heavy or prolonged rains and the resulting erosion. Construction in older neighborhoods is creating storm water runoff for adjoining property owners who never had these problems before. Raleigh’s sewer pipes are aging and replacing them is overdue in some neighborhoods. Areas where ADUs will be approved must have sewer capacity to manage higher numbers of users.

The Planning Commission committee has discussed how exterior lighting, balconies, decks and patios will be oriented to diminish ADU impact on neighboring properties. We should all appreciate the careful consideration being given to these issues. Developing policies that protect adjoining properties and assessing the infrastructure capacities deserve all the time necessary. Once the ADU building boom starts, it will be too late to address infrastructure.

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "11/16 Letters: Give low-income families options for affordable health care."