Editorial: Don't wait until the budget is passed. Implement Medicaid expansion now

CBC Editorial: Wednesday, March 29, 2023; editorial #8837

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

It is more exhaustion and relief than joyous accomplishment that Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation into law – still more potential than reality – to finally expand Medicaid after years of hurtful obstruction by the General Assembly’s Republican leadership.

Any celebration at the ceremony Monday must be, unfortunately, tempered by the reality that there will be NO Medicaid expansion until a state budget is signed into law. There is no telling how high a price will be demanded. What radical and regrettable clauses, provisions and provisos will be stuffed inside that budget Cooper must agree to before Medicaid expansion is actually underway.

The reality is expanding Medicaid to at least 600,000 North Carolinians who otherwise have no access to healthcare at practically no cost to the state, has for the last 13 years had wide and deep support across the political, corporate and medical care establishments.

“Medicaid expansion is a once-in-a-generation investment that will strengthen our mental health system, boost our rural hospitals, support working families and so much more,” Cooper said at the bill-signing photo op. “This is a historic step toward a healthier North Carolina that will bring people the opportunity of better health and a better life.”

Yes, this is just a step in the journey NOT an arrival. Even Cooper acknowledges that actual Medicaid expansion has yet to be accomplished. Now, as he said, at least it no longer is a matter of “if” there will be expansion but a question of “when.”

The fact that it is still a question is regrettable. It casts a dark shadow over what should have been a bright bill signing event.

The North Carolina Medical Society said it has “long worked” to get Medicaid expansion into law. “The signing of HB 76 means that hundreds of thousands of your friends and neighbors will be able to lead healthier and happier lives without the burden of being uninsured,” said Chip Baggett, the Society’s CEO.

“The $1.8 billion in federal dollars to the state will also create a Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program to reimburse hospitals who have experienced financial losses, expand postpartum coverage for mothers, and create a statewide workforce development program, added the Society’s news release.

“Medicaid expansion is foundational in improving access to health care in rural areas, for better mental health and for veterans, working adults and their families. For 600,000 people, Medicaid expansion is life changing,” said Kody H. Kinsley, state Secretary of Health & Human Services.

Kinsley and his staff need to start now, if they haven’t already, to have all the processes and resources in place, so they can immediately make Medicaid available to those who will become eligible.

As big of an accomplishment as it is to know that, possibly, by the end of the year Medicaid will be expanded, there’s no ignoring the toll taken by procrastinating. As many as 13,600 lives have been lost – practically the population of Reidsville in Rockingham County.

About 118,000 jobs weren’t created. More than 111,000 mammograms were missed and 238,000 diabetics went without the medication they needed.

And why? Because some politicians didn’t like former President Barack Obama. Because they were willing to let their zealous partisanship needlessly sacrifice the lives and the health of others.

The needless and cold-hearted political games around Medicaid expansion need to end.

Stop playing politics with the lives and health of the people. There is no good reason to wait for the budget to be law. Truly expand Medicaid NOW!

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