ACT NOW: Save the Healthy Opportunities Pilot

Action Alert

MANNA FoodBank is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about issues that could impact our neighbors now and in the future.

May 2025

Dear Micah,

The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) is a groundbreaking North Carolina Medicaid initiative that improves health outcomes by addressing what truly drives wellness: food, housing, and safety. In Western North Carolina, it has already:

Served over 12,000 neighbors, including thousands of children
Created or sustained 312 local jobs
Delivered more than 330,000 essential services
Saved the state nearly $12 million annually in healthcare costs

Unlike traditional healthcare programs that often benefit large corporations, HOP dollars stay in our communities. These funds support local farmers, food banks like MANNA, nonprofits, and rural economies.

WHAT'S AT STAKE:

The NC House and Senate proposed budgets include ZERO funding for HOP. Here's what that means for our region:

Loss of $313 million in total health services. $88 million in state funds would no longer leverage $225 million in federal funds
312 local jobs are at risk across WNC
60+ local nonprofits could lose funding, including MANNA and our partners
10,931 vulnerable WNC residents could lose access to food, housing, and safety services
Emergency room visits will rise, state healthcare costs will increase, and families will be left without critical support

This is not just a healthcare issue. It is an economic one. HOP has been proven to reduce costs, improve health, and build local infrastructure.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION: Contact Your State Legislators

The North Carolina General Assembly is deciding HOP’s future right now. Please reach out to your NC State House and Senate representatives and urge them to restore HOP funding in the final budget.

You can find your representative here: www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

For a complete list of WNC State Legislators and a Sample Email/Phone Script, please click here:

DOWNLOAD PDF - CUSTOMIZABLE EMAIL & PHONE SCRIPT

Stay Engaged

Thank you for advocating for the health and well-being of our neighbors. We’ll keep you updated as the budget process continues. Your voice matters so please stay tuned for more action alerts from MANNA in the coming weeks.

Micah Chrisman

Director of Marketing and Communications

TEMPLATE EMAIL TO STATE LEGISLATORS

Subject: Please Restore Funding for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot

Dear Representative [Last Name] / Senator [Last Name],

I’m writing to urge you to restore funding for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) in the FY 2025–26 state budget. HOP has brought $313 million in health services to North Carolina by leveraging an $88 million state investment to draw down $225 million in federal funds.

In Western North Carolina alone, the program has created more than 300 jobs, supported over 12,000 residents, and delivered more than 330,000 essential services—all while saving the state nearly $12 million annually in healthcare costs.

If funding is cut, emergency room visits will rise, state healthcare costs will increase, and families across our region will lose access to critical support. This is not just a healthcare issue—it is an economic one. HOP has been proven to reduce costs, improve health outcomes, and strengthen local infrastructure in rural communities like ours.

Please ensure HOP continues. Our communities depend on this smart, people-centered investment.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[City/County, NC]

PHONE SCRIPT

“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [City or County]. I’m calling to urge Representative [or Senator] [Last Name] to restore full funding for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program in this year’s state budget.

HOP brings hundreds of millions in federal funds to North Carolina, creates jobs, and helps people access nutritious food, housing, and safety services. In Western North Carolina, the program has already saved nearly $12 million in healthcare costs.

Without funding, emergency room visits will rise, healthcare costs will grow, and thousands of families will lose critical support. This is not just a health issue—it’s an economic one, and HOP has proven its value on both fronts.

Please support restoring full HOP funding. Thank you.”

MANNA FoodBank mannafoodbank.org

MANNA FoodBank is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about issues that could impact our neighbors now and in the future.