This is a momentous agreement that will directly improve the health and well-being of 600,000 North Carolinians. We applaud the efforts by the General Assembly to move this forward. Medicaid expansion will be transformative for access to health care in rural areas, for better mental health and for veterans, working adults and their families. For these people, today’s agreement is life changing.
NCDHHS will review the proposed legislation. We look forward to working with the General Assembly to get the timing right to maximize the federal funds coming to North Carolina to support hospitals and access to care across the state.
Expansion and HASP* will bring $8 billion annually to North Carolina with no additional cost to the state, along with $1.8 billion which can support behavioral health, public safety support, rural health care, and other needs. North Carolina can receive an additional $1.8 billion in HASP payments if we are able to implement both these programs this fiscal year.
*HASP uses a federal program that allows states to direct funds to providers (hospitals) through the managed care contracts.