RELIEF PROPOSED FOR COUNTY MEDICAID BURDEN

Two bills introduced this week would phase out the county share of the non-federal share of Medicaid costs. H132, introduced by Rep. Edd Nye (Bladen), would phase out the county share over a six-year period, cap county Medicaid costs at 2004-05 levels, and, for counties where the number of Medicaid-eligible individuals exceeds 25 percent of the population, reduce the county Medicaid share to two-thirds of the reduced share or two-thirds of the share paid in 2004-05, whichever is less. The proposal represents the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid Reform. The bill, if enacted, would accomplish the highest priority goal adopted by the Association.

A second bill introduced this week, incorporates the phaseout of county Medicaid expenditures and the cap on county costs at 2004-05 levels. H149, introduced by Rep. Julia Howard (Davie), begins the phaseout in the upcoming 2005-06 fiscal year.

Both bills provide significant relief sought by counties and are supported by the Association.

BILLS OF INTEREST

CORRECTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Introductions

H29
“To prohibit the possession or operation of video gaming machines except by a federally recognized Indian tribe as authorized by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and a valid Tribal-State Compact.” Rep. Ronnie Sutton (Robeson). If enacted, this bill would accomplish an Association Legislative Goal. It is identical to S6, introduced last week in the Senate, and would ban video poker except on Indian reservations. The bill was referred to the House Rules Committee.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Introductions

H30, S33
“To allow a trial project for voting by mail in municipal elections and referenda conducted in May of 2005.” Rep. Jennifer Weiss (Wake), Sen. Richard Stevens (Wake). Each of these identical bills would allow the State Board of Elections to conduct pilot elections upon the request of a City Council and a County Board of Elections in a municipality with a population of 90,000 or more. H30 was referred to the House Rules Committee. S33 was referred to the Senate Committee on State Government.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Introductions

S72
“To authorize certain counties to expand county Board of Health membership to include a restaurant owner.” Sen. Kay Hagan (Guilford). This bill would authorize a Board of County Commissioners in a county with a population of over 400,000 to add a 12th member to the board of health who is a restaurant owner. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

H132
“To phase out the county share of the nonfederal share of Medicaid costs over a six-year period, to provide that the total county share during the phaseout period shall not exceed the county share paid by each county for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, and to further provide that in certain counties the county share shall be further reduced based on the number of Medicaid-eligible individuals in the county, as recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid Reform.” Rep. Edd Nye (Bladen). This bill, explained on page 1, has been referred to the House Health Committee.

H149
“To phase out the county share of the nonfederal share of Medicaid costs over a five-year period, and to provide that the total share during the phaseout period shall not exceed the county share paid by each county for the 2004-2005 fiscal year.” Rep. Julia Howard (Davie). This bill, explained on page 1, has been referred to the House Health Committee.