FORBES: NC’s Standoff Over Medicaid Expansion

RALEIGH – The ongoing standoff between Republican legislative majorities and Democrat Governor Roy Cooper is entering it’s third week and now garnering national media attention. A piece in Forbes by Patrick Gleason highlights the battle over Medicaid expansion and brings with him facts about just how much more Medicaid, whether expanded or not, is costing states across the country.

From Forbes:

“North Carolina is home to two of the three open seats in Congress and is also one of only a few states where a new budget agreement has yet to be reached (Massachusetts, Ohio, and New Hampshire being the other). These factors, plus the Tar Heel State’s status as an electoral battleground state, make North Carolina one of the most interesting places to pay attention to these days when it comes to both politics and policy. […]

Governor Cooper’s initial budget proposal spends about $500 million more over the next two years than does the $24 billion general fund budget approved by both chambers of the General Assembly in June. The General Assembly’s budget won praise from conservatives and a veto from Governor Cooper. […]

Governor Cooper made a counter-offer this past week that insists on implementing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, a deal-breaker for most legislative Republicans, rejects the General Assembly-passed franchise tax cut, and spends even more money than his initial proposal. Based on the way things are going, it is very plausible that no deal is reached. 

Implementing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, which is Governor Cooper’s top priority, would cost $6 billion over the next two years, which represents a 28% percent increase in Medicaid spending and a roughly 8% increase in total state spending. 

Among the 37 states that have expanded Medicaid in accordance with Obamacare […]”

CONTINUE READING

Have a hot tip for First In Freedom Daily?

Got a hot news tip for us? Photos or video of a breaking story? Send your tips, photos and videos to tips@firstinfreedomdaily.com. All hot tips are immediately forwarded to FIFD Staff.

Have something to say? Send your own guest column or original reporting to submissions@firstinfreedomdaily.com.