A class action lawsuit that may affect Medicaid recipients in Currituck County issued a Notice of Proposed Settlement. Franklin et al. v. Kinsley, formerly known as Hawkins et al. v. Cohen, is a federal lawsuit filed in 2017. This case was certified by the Court as a class action lawsuit on behalf of N.C. Medicaid beneficiaries.

The case involves allegations that the NC Medicaid agency, along with county Departments of Social Services, improperly terminated and reduced Medicaid benefits to eligible individuals. The settlement agreement includes detailed steps that the state and county departments would take when determining Medicaid eligibility. The proposed settlement agreement may be viewed online here.

The United States District Court – Eastern District of North Carolina allows citizens the right to object to this proposed settlement agreement.  Objections must be filed by Dec. 31, 2022 with the Civil Clerk’s office, 413 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Anyone wishing to object to the Settlement Agreement in person may do so at a hearing on Jan. 13, 2023 at 11:00 am, at the United States District Court, 413 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560. More details for this process can be found on the Notice of Proposed Settlement.

The Notice of Proposed Settlement is available in English and Spanish. If any local citizens have questions regarding this settlement, please contact the Currituck County Department of Social Services at 252-232-3083.