North Carolina was recently ranked the 10th worst state for healthcare access, according to a report by Forbes Advisor. They compared all 50 states across 14 metrics to develop the ratings. They include things like:

  • Number of hospital beds per 1,000 residents.
  • Number of primary care physicians per 10,000 residents.
  • Number of nurse practitioners per 10,000 residents.
  • Percentage of residents who lack health insurance coverage.
  • Percentage of annual health insurance premiums covered by employers for employees with single coverage.

North Carolina’s score was 71.90 out of 100. According to the report, the Tar Heel State has the:

  • Fifth-lowest number of nurse practitioners per 10,000 residents (4.3).
  • Eighth-highest average premium for employees with single coverage through employer-provided health insurance ($1,847 annually).
  • Tenth-highest percentage of residents who lack health insurance coverage (9.3%).
  • Tenth-highest average deductible for employees with single coverage through employer-provided health insurance ($2,247 annually).

In addition, North Carolina employers also cover the sixth-lowest percentage of employees’ annual health insurance premiums (76% for employees with single coverage).

According to the report, the bottom line is that North Carolina strongly needs more qualified healthcare professionals.

Unfortunately, this is nothing new when it comes to healthcare rankings for the state.

A year ago, the state earned failing marks for healthcare and its costs according to a list by Forbes Advisor ranking of all 50 states.

North Carolina was ranked as the third-worst state for healthcare and the worst state in the country for healthcare costs. 

The publication also ranked it the worst for healthcare costs earlier this year.

When asked about the report published on Oct. 4, Stephanie Strickland, Senior Director of Communications for the North Carolina Healthcare Association, told Carolina Journal in an emailed statement that North Carolina hospitals are committed to improving the health and financial well-being of their patients and to ensure ongoing high-quality patient care, hospitals are taking bold steps to address healthcare workforce shortages.

“They are investing in the growth and development of healthcare professionals through robust partnerships with educational institutions,” she said. “These partnerships provide clinical training, residency programs, and financial support like scholarships. Hospitals are also expanding recruitment efforts, developing internal career pathways, and offering sign-on bonuses, loan repayment, and flexible schedules as key incentives.” 

Strickland said beyond workforce development, hospitals continue to serve as a safety net, particularly in areas facing healthcare shortages. In addition, she said they provide essential services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, addressing urgent, chronic, and preventive healthcare needs.

“Our commitment to financial transparency includes offering discounts, charity care, and dedicated staff to assist patients with questions about medical bills,” she said. “We strongly believe that no one should forgo or delay medical care due to cost concerns. Untreated health issues can lead to more severe complications and increased medical expenses.”

Strickland noted that health insurance premiums grew at twice the rate of hospital prices in 2023, citing a May report from the American Hospital Association.

“The rapid rise in premiums contributes significantly to the overall cost of healthcare for many individuals and families,” she said. 

In the October report, Utah was ranked first for least accessibility to healthcare, followed by Nevada, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Wyoming, Idaho, and North Carolina.

Massachusetts was ranked the best for healthcare access.