Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid reform
endorses NCACC relief plan

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid Reform tentatively endorsed the NCACC's proposed goal on Medicaid relief during its Dec. 15 meeting.

The NCACC's proposed goal on Medicaid relief seeks legislation to implement a six-year phase out of county participation in Medicaid costs and, for the first year, cap county costs at the 2004-05 fiscal year level and provide relief by targeting supplemental financial assistance to any county in which more than a to-be-determined percent of the population is eligible for Medicaid.

The 2003 General Assembly authorized creation of the commission in the 2003 budget act and charged it with examining the state's Medicaid program and making comprehensive recommendations for fundamental reform. NCACC President Breeden Blackwell and Third Vice President David Young presented the “county perspective on Medicaid” at the commission’s Nov. 16 meeting, and argued persuasively for county Medicaid relief. Their remarks were followed by representatives from five other counties who had proposed Medicaid relief goals in the NCACC legislative goals process.

The commission will make its final report to the 2005 General Assembly on Feb. 1.