HB 76, Medicaid Expansion, passed, awaiting governor’s signature

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Medical Society is thrilled to share the news that Medicaid expansion has passed in North Carolina and is now on the desk of Governor Roy Cooper awaiting his signature before it becomes law.

NCMS has worked with our members, legislators, and many partner organizations to get this important legislation passed and to help the people of North Carolina live healthier and happier lives.  With passage of House Bill 76, more than 600,000 North Carolinians will now have access to healthcare.  The $1.8 billion in federal dollars to the state will also create a Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP) to reimburse hospitals who have experienced financial losses, expand postpartum coverage for mothers, and create a statewide workforce development program.

NCMS CEO Chip Baggett says “This is the kind of day we work for!  Our team, our members, our partners, and people from across the state have long hoped for this bill to be signed.  The bi-partisan support it received is a clear sign that lawmakers in North Carolina see access to healthcare as part of a strong citizenry.  We thank the many legislators who joined us as we moved toward this day.  We also thank the NCMS members who have been helping and our partner organizations.  It is because all these groups came together to champion this bill that the future of North Carolina is a bit brighter today.”

Here is a look at the final details of HB76:

  • Expands Medicaid to over 600,000 North Carolinians and would dole out $1.8 billion in federal dollars to the state.  
  • Creates a Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP), which would reimburse hospitals who have experienced financial losses.  
  • Expands postpartum coverage.  
  • Creates a statewide workforce development program. 
  • Creates a program that would help residents on Medicaid transfer to marketplace place healthcare when available. 
  • Adds Certificate of Need (CON) Reform which would remove requirements for chemical dependency beds and psychiatric beds, raises dollar threshold for replacement equipment, raises the dollar threshold for diagnostic centers.  
  • Also adds CON Reform for counties with over 125,000 residents for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (will take effect 2 years after the first HASP payment) and MRI machines (will take effect 3 years after the first HASP payment).  
  • The changes will be implemented only if the 2023-2024 budget is passed into law by the end of 2023.  

Here is a personal message from NCMS CEO Chip Baggett: