As new federal restrictions on Medicaid eligibility take effect, some immigrants in Western North Carolina are losing health coverage, while others who remain eligible are faced with weighing whether enrolling in public benefits could jeopardize their ability to remain in the United States.
In The Smoky Mountain News coverage area, nine people in Jackson County and 26 people in Haywood County have lost Medicaid coverage due to the new eligibility rules, but fear and confusion surrounding the changes may have the biggest impact.
The changes, which took effect Oct. 1 under HR 1, the federal budget reconciliation law also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, limit Medicaid eligibility for certain noncitizens, including refugees and asylees who previously qualified for coverage.