North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued a statement criticizing Speaker Destin Hall and President Pro Tempore Phil Berger for not funding Medicaid. In his remarks, Stein accused the leaders of prioritizing political maneuvering over the health care needs of North Carolinians.
“Speaker Hall and President Pro Tempore Berger would rather come up with excuses than fund Medicaid for the people of North Carolina. This is the latest example of their dysfunction that has become the norm of the North Carolina’s General Assembly. The Republican majority has made the time to damage our democracy with their gerrymander. But when it comes time to protect people’s health care? When it comes time to enact a comprehensive budget? They’re on vacation, and they’ll see us next year. All while North Carolina families pay the price. That’s unacceptable,” Stein said.
He warned that without adequate funding, health care providers may be forced to make difficult choices such as stopping acceptance of Medicaid patients, reducing salaries, cutting essential services, or even closing down operations. “The impact of their failure will have profound consequences for North Carolinians. They are forcing health care providers to make painful decisions to stop accepting Medicaid patients, cut salaries, reduce critical services, or close altogether. NCDHHS can’t put health care costs on a credit card. The longer the General Assembly refuses to fund our Medicaid program, the more they erode our health care system,” he stated.
Stein also called on lawmakers and citizens alike to take action: “I will keep fighting for the health care of North Carolinians. I urge your representatives to do the same. And I call on North Carolinians to tell their representatives and senators to do their jobs.”
The lack of Medicaid funding could result in reduced access to medical services for low-income residents across North Carolina and increased strain on local healthcare providers.
