North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has called on the General Assembly to reverse upcoming Medicaid funding cuts, which are set to take effect next month due to legislative inaction. Speaking alongside North Carolinians affected by the changes, Stein urged lawmakers to fully fund the state’s Medicaid program in October.
“The General Assembly’s failure to fully fund the Medicaid program has forced the state to make cuts to this vital program,” said Governor Josh Stein. “But it’s not too late to come together and protect health care. I have directed DHHS to identify cuts that are reversible so that the moment we receive more funding from the General Assembly, we can work to undo the damage that their inaction has caused. I call on the General Assembly to put our people’s health over their political disputes and send me a clean bill that keeps Medicaid running and ensure North Carolinians receive the critical care they need.”
Pete Tannebaum, Director of Alliance Medical Ministry, commented on how these cuts could affect local clinics: “Alliance is one of the few clinics in North Carolina’s health care safety net that does not take Medicaid, so we are bracing for a surge of newly uninsured patients with nowhere else to turn. Without routine care, small problems become emergencies. Patients wait until they’re dangerously ill and end up in the ER, needlessly sicker and far more expensive to treat. This is not just a financial crisis. It is a human crisis. These are our neighbors, friends, and members of the community we see and work with every day.”
Chelsea Grey, a Medicaid recipient and disability advocate, also spoke about her concerns: “As the parent of a child with complex health care needs, every day is already uncertain. It is hard enough to keep our children alive, and we are barely staying afloat with what is currently available. So, I encourage our lawmakers to take whatever action is necessary to sustain access to Medicaid and relieve us of this current uncertainty.”
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has notified providers about new rates that will begin October 1 as a result of insufficient funding for Medicaid. Governor Stein has instructed NCDHHS officials to focus on identifying cuts that could be reversed if additional funds become available from lawmakers.
Stein stated he remains open to working with legislators on proposals aimed at securing needed funds for Medicaid if a comprehensive budget agreement cannot be reached.
