Pat Brand
389 Country
Kody H. Kinsley is stepping down as North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, capping a tenure marked by transformative health care initiatives. Appointed in 2022 by Governor Roy Cooper, Kinsley emphasized making health care more accessible and effective. Under his leadership, the state achieved significant milestones, including Medicaid expansion, behavioral health reforms, medical debt relief, and initiatives to improve child and family well-being.
Major Achievements Under Kinsley’s Leadership
Medicaid Expansion: Kinsley played a pivotal role in expanding Medicaid coverage to over 600,000 North Carolinians by December 2024, accomplishing the enrollment goal in half the time originally projected. This expansion marked a significant step toward affordable health care access for low-income residents.
Behavioral Health Investment:
North Carolina secured $835 million in funding to enhance behavioral health services. These funds were allocated to crisis care systems, youth mental health programs, and increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use treatment providers.
Medical Debt Relief:
In July 2024, Kinsley and Governor Cooper launched a groundbreaking program to alleviate $4 billion in medical debt for two million residents. This initiative aims to transform the relationship between patients and health care providers by reducing financial barriers.
Child and Family Well-Being:
Kinsley spearheaded efforts to expand school-based health centers, improve foster care services, and address food insecurity. The introduction of the Children and Families Specialty Health Plan ensured comprehensive care for Medicaid-enrolled children in the child welfare system.
Workforce Development:
Kinsley prioritized building a strong and inclusive health care workforce, securing grants to stabilize child care services, boosting compensation for early childhood educators, and launching initiatives to recruit and retain behavioral health professionals.
Addressing Health Disparities
Kinsley championed reforms to reduce health disparities, including modernizing blood donation policies and improving access to care for marginalized communities. Under his leadership, the state expanded programs supporting people with disabilities and published the North Carolina State Health Improvement Plan to target health inequities.
Hurricane Helene Response
In response to Hurricane Helene’s devastation in western North Carolina, Kinsley led efforts to provide health care, shelter, and behavioral health resources to affected communities. The state expanded its Hope4NC initiative, placing crisis counselors in hard-hit areas to support recovery efforts.
Transition and Legacy
As Kinsley steps down, Governor Josh Stein has appointed Dr. Devdutta Sangvai as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kinsley is working closely with Sangvai to ensure a seamless transition.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kinsley remarked, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve my fellow North Carolinians. I’ve worked to make care more accessible, ensure providers have the tools they need, and invest in solutions that save lives and communities.”
Dr. Sangvai is set to assume the role on January 12, 2025, with plans to build on Kinsley’s efforts to improve health outcomes for all North Carolinians.
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