General Assembly Leaders Rebuff Gov. Stein’s Political Stunt

This week, the Republican-controlled General Assembly rebuffed Democrat Governor Josh Stein’s demand for an additional legislative session to appropriate additional funds for Medicaid. Stein claims that North Carolina’s Medicaid funding needs additional funding to avoid provider rate cuts.  

"The House has done its job to fund Medicaid with clean bills and is prepared to do more if needed. We need to resolve this matter quickly to protect patients, support providers, and ensure the long-term stability of North Carolina’s Medicaid program,” said Speaker Destin Hall. “Until recently, the General Assembly has worked with the executive branch to provide funding to Medicaid, while also monitoring the program’s integrity. The administration should have continued that practice." 

While the General Assembly recognizes that additional Medicaid funding is needed, eventually, it pointed out that Stein’s own administration confirmed that Medicaid is funded through April 2026.  

Senate Leader Phil Berger’s Spokeswoman, Lauren Horsch said, “Gov. Stein’s self-inflicted ‘crisis’ is not an extraordinary occasion by any measure. Now that the courts have stepped in to block some of his politically motivated cuts, he’s attempting a new stunt to pass the buck. The General Assembly appropriated $600 million to the Medicaid rebase, and instead of prioritizing funding for services, Gov. Stein decided funding bureaucracy was more important.”