Kody H. Kinsley

Medicaid expansion and healthcare access

Kinsley led the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina.^[16] This effort, aimed at extending healthcare access to more than 600,000 uninsured residents, involved extensive collaboration with state legislators and healthcare stakeholders. The expansion reduced barriers to care and improved health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The state reached its two-year enrollment goal of 600,000 in just over a year.^{[17][18][19][20]}

Kinsley emphasized the importance of Medicaid expansion in tackling health disparities, particularly in rural communities where access to healthcare services is limited.^[21] Kinsley's work as secretary broadened insurance coverage and enhanced investments in both preventive care and behavioral health services.^[22][23]

Medical debt relief

Kinsley negotiated with both the federal government and state hospitals to develop create a comprehensive Medical Debt Relief and Reform Incentive Program. The final plan gives hospitals significantly more money through federal state directed payments, and in exchange, the hospitals agree to eliminating outstanding debts of low-income North Carolinians, updating their financial aid policies, and increasing medical billing transparency.^[24][25] The plan received pushback from the state's hospitals and industry lobbying groups. However, in the end, all 99 hospitals in the state agreed to the terms by the August 9, 2024, deadline.^[26][27][28]

Behavioral health funding

North Carolina received $1.8 billion in "incentive payments" for expanding Medicaid as part of the American Rescue Plan.^[29] Kinsley led negotiations with the Republican-led legislature to leverage this new funding for behavioral health, resulting in an $835 million investment in behavioral health care. This funding increased reimbursement rates for behavioral health services, enhanced crisis intervention systems, bolstered behavioral health services in schools, and expanded care for people involved with the justice system.^[12][13]

LGBTQ+ health

Kinsley led a coalition of state health secretaries to call on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to update blood donation rules to allow sexually active gay and bisexual men to donate blood.^[30] He donated blood in August 2023 after the FDA rules were changed and the American Red Cross updated their processes.^[31]

He also led the state's efforts during the 2022-2023 mpox outbreak, which disproportionately affected the LGBTQ+ community. He publicly pushed for a more coordinated response to the epidemic.^[32]

Hurricane Helene relief

Responding to Hurricane Helene, Kinsley coordinated healthcare and human services relief across the state. These initiatives included deploying mobile health clinics to affected areas, ensuring the continuity of Medicaid services, and addressing food insecurity for displaced families.^{[33][non-primary source needed]}