RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is expected to take action on legislation that would fully fund Medicaid across the state Thursday.
The $319 million plan, known as House Bill 696, received overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats in Raleigh. Lawmakers finalized the bill Tuesday, passing 112-3 in the state House and 45-3 in the Senate.
State health officials say Medicaid will run out of money in May. Without a state budget, the program is running on old number that don’t account for inflation or population growth.
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Stein’s office said the governor supports funding Medicaid but is still reviewing other parts of the bill.
According to the NC Rural Center, 1 in 4 North Carolinians receive health insurance through Medicaid. That comes out to over 3 million residents in total.