Gerrymandering in North Carolina May Be Limiting Healthcare Access, Study Finds
A new study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has highlighted a concerning link between gerrymandering and access to healthcare in North Carolina. The research, spanning 2004 to 2022, suggests that manipulated district boundaries may be reducing access to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which provide care regardless of ability to pay.
The study found a negative association between FQHC availability and long-term uncertainty of district membership, particularly in areas with highly gerrymandered ZIP codes. These districts had fewer FQHCs and fewer patients visiting them in 2022. This is alarming, given the 12 rural hospital closures in North Carolina since 2005, with only one in the last eight years.
The Democratic Party's control of the state government from 2006 to 2009 saw the closure of the Martin General Hospital in Williamson, one of the state's rural hospitals. This closure, along with others, has likely contributed to the healthcare disparities highlighted in the study.
The study's findings have potential legal implications, offering a way to contest gerrymandering in response to a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. By demonstrating the negative impact on healthcare access, the research provides a compelling argument for redistricting reform. With rural healthcare already under strain, addressing gerrymandering could help ensure equitable access to healthcare for all North Carolinians.
