How the Clinic Is Preparing for Healthcare Changes
Why More of Our Neighbors May Soon Be Uninsured
Across the country, healthcare policy changes are shifting who can access coverage and how much care will cost.
Beginning in 2026, many people are expected to lose health insurance or face higher out-of-pocket costs. For communities like Cabarrus County, this means more residents may need care without reliable coverage.
At The Community Free Clinic, we are preparing now to meet that need.
What’s Changing
Several federal policy changes are expected to impact healthcare access in 2026 and 2027.
These include:
Changes to Medicaid eligibility and renewal requirements
New work requirements for some enrollees
Fewer financial incentives supporting Medicaid expansion
Shorter enrollment periods for Marketplace plans
The end of enhanced ACA tax credits
In North Carolina, enrollment in ACA Marketplace plans has already dropped significantly. Recent data shows a decline of more than 200,000 enrollees compared to the previous year.
Even for those who remain insured, costs are rising. In 2026, the maximum out-of-pocket cost for an individual plan is expected to reach $10,600.
For many families, that cost puts care out of reach.
What This Means for Our Community
For Cabarrus County, these changes may lead to:
More residents without health insurance
Delayed care for chronic conditions
Increased need for medications and monitoring
Greater demand for guidance through a complex system
When access to coverage becomes more difficult, safety-net providers become essential.
How the Clinic Is Preparing
The Community Free Clinic is taking steps now to respond to these changes.
Our efforts include:
Preparing for increased patient volume
Expanding patient navigation support
Adding volunteer roles, including administrative and language support
Increasing outreach to connect residents with care
Our focus is simple: make sure residents can still access care, even as the system becomes more difficult to navigate.
How the Community Can Help
As demand grows, community support becomes even more important.
You can help by:
Donating to support patient care, medications, and supplies
Volunteering your time or professional skills
Sharing information so others know help is available
These actions directly impact whether someone can receive care when they need it.
Moving Forward
Healthcare access is changing, but our mission is not.
With the support of donors, volunteers, and community partners, The Community Free Clinic will continue to provide care to those who need it most.
Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes without care.
