RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) — Governor Josh Stein has signed a bill to fully fund North Carolina’s Medicaid program through the end of the fiscal year, closing a $319 million shortfall and ensuring continued health coverage for millions of residents.
The funding plan comes as state health officials warned the program was on track to run out of money as early as May.
Stein says maintaining Medicaid coverage is essential for North Carolinians.
“Medicaid is a critical program for the State of North Carolina,” Stein said at a signing ceremony at the Executive Mansion. “And rest assured we are always trying to run it better.”
Roughly one in four North Carolinians rely on Medicaid, including more than 725,000 people covered through the state’s recent expansion of the program.
In a statement, Stein called the funding “critical for North Carolinians’ health and safety,” and praised bipartisan cooperation to keep the program running.
But the governor also raised concerns about provisions in the bill he says lawmakers should address during the upcoming short session.
Stein warned the measure could eliminate coverage for nearly 27,000 pregnant women and children who are lawfully present in the United States, including refugees and victims of human trafficking. He also criticized additional administrative requirements that could delay access to care and increase out-of-pocket costs for some recipients.
Despite those concerns, the governor says the legislation addresses several urgent funding needs across state government, including shortfalls affecting public safety agencies and services for veterans’ families.
Stein says he plans to continue working with lawmakers to make changes and ensure long-term, stable funding for Medicaid.