RALEIGH — Lumberton’s resident member of the state House of Representatives is a primary sponsor of legislation that would expand Medicaid coverage in North Carolina.

Rep. Charles Graham’s name is first on House Bill 470. The legislation was filed in the House on March 31 and referred April 1 to the Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operation of the House.

According to a summary, the legislation would expand coverage eligibility to people with a modified adjusted gross income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, are 19 years old or older and under age 65, are not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under Part A 35 or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, and are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage under the North Carolina state plan as it existed on Jan. 1, 2020.

The legislation also says the state General Assembly’s intent is to call upon hospital providers to pay the supplemental assessment or base assessment under Article 7A of GS Chapter 108A, a Medicaid Coverage Gap Assessment that will pay for the state’s share of the program and administrative costs associated with Medicaid expansion.

Graham did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

When asked about HB 470, a UNC Health Southeastern representative said leaders of the health care provider had no comment at this time.