State lawmakers approved a $319 million funding package to support Medicaid through the end of the fiscal year, preserving health care for over 3 million people.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is expected to sign a bill to address the funding gap for Medicaid, a proposal that would ensure continued health care for millions of North Carolinians.ย
House Bill 696 passed both chambers of the General Assembly this week with support from both parties. Medicaid provides care to more than 3 million North Carolinians, but the program was on track to run out of money as early as next month without new legislation. Stein is expected to sign the bill at 11 a.m. Thursday.ย
House Speaker Destin Hall said that Medicaid should prioritize those who truly need it and that the changes are intended to add โcommon sense guardrailsโ to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Other proposed changes include expanded fraud oversight, additional audits and stricter eligibility checks.
Health care advocates, however, have raised concerns about some of the proposed requirements, including potential work rules. April Cook with the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics says many Medicaid recipients are already working and warns that additional administrative requirements could create barriers to coverage.
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