04 Dobbins2016 000 1Covid-19 has exposed the inadequacies of our society and economy.

All across North Carolina and here in Spring Lake we’re seeing our families, friends and neighbors go without proper health care, jobs and sufficient unemployment benefits.

North Carolina is one of only 12 states that has not adopted Medicaid expansion even though 90% of the costs would be covered by federal funds.

It is past time for our elected officials to invest in North Carolina, our citizens and our hospitals.

It’s time to send legislators to Raleigh who’ll put aside partisan politics and listen to the needs of our citizens.

We can’t afford to be short-sighted any longer; we must begin investing now.

Affordable and accessible healthcare is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our families, friends and neighbors.

Medicaid expansion will help close the coverage gap and increase economic growth to our state.

As retired state employees, my wife and I were fortunate to have adequate insurance coverage through the North Carolina Teachers’ Retirement System.

Because of the fact that she was insured, she received great medical care and treatment.

We didn’t have to experience bankruptcy when she became terminally ill as her final medical expenses greatly exceeded $2,000,000.00.

Many citizens of Spring Lake are not as fortunate, through no fault of their own.

As the richest and most progressive country in the world, we have a responsibility to speak up in support of the less fortunate, the disenfranchised, the poor and our elderly.

I speak on behalf of the 13,000 residents of the Town of Spring Lake, many of whom are on fixed incomes, working low-wage jobs, or have no jobs at all.

Pictured: Spring Lake Mayor Larry G. Dobbins