South Raleigh News

Governor Josh Stein has formally requested that Congress reconsider proposed federal cuts to the Medicaid program, emphasizing the significant impact these cuts could have on North Carolina. In a letter addressed to Congressional leaders, Governor Stein highlighted the vital role Medicaid plays for over 3 million residents of the state, particularly in rural areas.

"Medicaid is a lifeline for more than 3 million North Carolinians and disproportionately serves our rural population," stated Governor Stein. He urged Congress to "oppose cuts to Medicaid funding so that hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians do not lose their health care and our rural health care system is not devastated."

The state's Medicaid program is a substantial economic contributor, adding at least $28 billion annually. It supports vulnerable groups including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In 29 predominantly rural counties within North Carolina, over 40 percent of residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare services. The program has been effectively managed without cost overruns for over a decade.

In March 2023, bipartisan support in North Carolina's General Assembly led to the expansion of Medicaid. This expansion has provided affordable healthcare access to more than 640,000 residents and helped stabilize rural hospitals across the state. However, one proposed cut threatens this progress by reducing the enhanced federal match for the expanded population—a move that could end Medicaid expansion in North Carolina abruptly.

Governor Stein warns that any reductions in funding would jeopardize essential healthcare access for many citizens and risk destabilizing the healthcare system itself by potentially eliminating $6 billion in federal funds allocated to healthcare providers.