NC Governor Josh Stein Calls for Special Session to Fund Medicaid

Urgency of Full Medicaid Funding

• 🚨 Governor Josh Stein and NC DHHS Secretary Deb Sangva emphasize the critical need to fully fund Medicaid in North Carolina.
• 💡 Without additional funding from the General Assembly, the state faces a Medicaid shortfall of approximately $319 million for the current year, risking the program's stability.
• ⚠️ Provider rate cuts have already been implemented, with potential for further cuts to various Medicaid services, impacting care for over three million North Carolinians.

Impact on Patients and Providers

• 🩺 Dr. Karen Smith, a family physician, shares stories highlighting how Medicaid provides access to comprehensive, quality care, enabling patients to manage chronic conditions and live with dignity.
• 🏠 Betsy McMichael describes how Medicaid is essential for her daughter Janie's independence and community living, covering health insurance and crucial daily support services through the innovations waiver.
• ♿ Demi Echo, who relies on a ventilator and feeding tube, explains that cuts to Medicaid services and direct support professionals threaten her ability to work, pursue her education, and maintain her independence.

Legislative Stalemate and Call to Action

• 🏛️ Governor Stein criticizes the General Assembly for failing to pass a Medicaid funding bill due to an unrelated political dispute, despite agreement on the need for more funding.
• 🗓️ The Governor has called for a special session on November 17th to urge lawmakers to return and pass the necessary legislation.
• 🗣️ He implores citizens to contact their representatives and senators to advocate for setting aside political differences and prioritizing Medicaid funding.

Broader Fiscal and Healthcare Context

• 📉 North Carolina faces a triple threat: rising healthcare costs, legislatively created tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals reducing state funds, and decreased federal support.
• 🏥 The state's Medicaid program is exceptionally well-run with low administrative costs, but is still impacted by these broader financial pressures.
• 💔 The consequences of inaction include people losing access to healthcare, providers closing, and increased suffering for vulnerable populations across the state.