AHOSKIE – A free “Health Care Supper” is being held in Freeland Building of Roanoke-Chowan Community College on Monday, Oct. 19. The supper starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the healthcare meeting from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting, said organizer Karen Gottovi, is to inform the public about the importance of getting and keeping affordable health care at all income levels.

Gottovi, who now lives in Ahoskie, is a former county commissioner of New Hanover County and former state legislator.

She now volunteers on the Hertford County board of AARP and North Carolina Justice Center Board, which is putting on the supper meeting after getting a grant the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation,

The conversation will focus on sign-up for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the effect on citizens if Medicaid expansion was passed by the state.

The ACA’s sign-up period begins Nov. 1 for those interested.

Gottovi said adopting Medicaid expansion would add 827 people to those now getting Medicaid in Hertford County alone. It would add 675 people in Northampton, 613 in Bertie, and 318 in Gates County.

Medicaid is a system that provides free healthcare for individuals who can’t afford it.

In addition to the nearly 2,500 locals gaining healthcare (500,000 in the state), Gottovi said the local economies would greatly improve directly from Medicaid expansion.

Hertford County’ economy would grow by $27.8 million from 2016-2020; Bertie’s by $9.6 million; Northampton’s by $5.4 million; and Gates County’s by $1.9 million.

Gottovi said the meeting will be conversational, so people would be able to ask for individual advice from the healthcare experts.

The leader of the discussion for the night will be Nicole Dozier of the NC JusticeCenter.

To have an estimate of how many meals to order, those wishing to attend next Monday should RSVP by the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 16 by calling 919-856-2146.

Mug Shotz of Ahoskie is providing the meal.