Although North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory was interested in expanding Medicaid in his state earlier this year, quick passage of expansion in North Carolina now seems unlikely, according to a WRAL report.
Last year, Gov. McCrory signed legislation that requires General Assembly approval for Medicaid to be expanded in North Carolina, and that legislation may prevent expansion in the state. Heading into the General Assembly session in January, there are still many skeptics of expansion in the state's legislature, including North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), who is expected to lead the chamber for another two years.
One of the key drivers of Gov. McCrory's decision to consider Medicaid expansion is the funding incentive. The federal government would cover 100 percent of North Carolina's expansion costs through 2016 and at least 90 percent of costs after 2016. Forgoing Medicaid expansion could cost North Carolina approximately $51 billion in lost federal money over the next 10 years.
However, Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) believes there is a chance federal funding will "dry up" and that is a gamble the state of North Carolina shouldn't take, according to the report.
Making expansion even more unlikely is the lack of compromise among lawmakers. In June and July, North Carolina's House and Senate passed competing legislation concerning shifting Medicaid from a fee-for-service model to a flat monthly rate based on number of patients.
"There's not agreement on which direction to go, and there are, in all candor, strong arguments on both sides," Rep. Moore told WRAL.
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