McCrory appeals to Senators to back off on Medicaid
Published July 22, 2014
by Doug Clark, Greensboro News-Record, July 21, 2014.
Gov. Pat McCrory is on his way from Greensboro to Raleigh to try to head off the Senate's Medicaid reorganization plan.
In an interview with N&R editors and reporters, the governor said the Senate offers a "fair argument" for a managed-care structure, but he strenuously objects to the creation of a new Department of Medical Benefits to run the program.
It raises constitutional concerns, he said, by encroaching into executive territory.
I'm not sure it does. The legislature can create or eliminate administrative agencies as it pleases. Of course, the governor can veto said legislation.
This matter likely won't get that far because the House version of the bill, passed unanimously July 2, is substantially different, reflecting McCrory's own proposal. Although not very detailed, it leaves Medicaid under the administration of the Department of Health and Human Services and builds on the accountable care model already used in many parts of the state.
McCrory and DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos said they'll announce soon that Medicaid finished the 2013-2014 fiscal year under budget. If that's true, it strengthens the case for building on the current model rather than tearing it down.
Still, substantial reform is needed for the long term, the governor said. If his ideas don't produce benefits in the next three or four years, he'd be willing to try the Senate plan.
But not yet. He'd like the Senate to yield -- if not its leaders then the rank-and-file (Republicans and Democrats), to whom he plans to appeal over the next 24 hours before a final vote.
If his pitch fails, then the status quo will continue for at least another year.
