Legislative Republicans Criticize Gov. Stein’s Politically Motivated Medicaid Cuts
Yesterday, Republican leaders in the North Carolina legislature criticized Democrat Governor Josh Stein’s decision to threaten Medicaid provider reimbursement rate cuts. The House Republicans highlight that the legislature already appropriated $600 million for NC Medicaid this year and identified additional funds available to Stein to avoid cuts in spending. Last year, the legislature approved $377 million for the Medicaid rebased, which the House says demonstrates that Stein’s current demand is unfounded.
In his press conference last week, Stein said that delaying the cuts would simply “cause more pain” in the budgeting process, which is why he wouldn’t delay the cuts.
Lauren Horsch, the Spokeswoman for Senate Leader Phil Berger’s Office, said, “Gov. Stein and his health department can reverse the proposed cuts now but refuse to do so. There is no need to make these hasty, politically motivated cuts now. Since this summer, the Senate has been in favor of funding the Medicaid rebase at the amount recommended by the General Assembly’s nonpartisan fiscal staff. Last week, the Senate passed the Healthcare Investment Act which included additional funding for the Medicaid rebase and previously promised support for other critical healthcare needs across the state.”
Here is what Republicans had to say about Stein’s decision enact cuts to North Carolina’s Medicaid program:
NC House Speaker Destin Hall said, “Governor Stein’s arbitrary Medicaid cuts are unjustifiable, clearly intended to manufacture a crisis. The legislature has given funds to sustain Medicaid well into 2026. This breathtakingly cynical move ignores years of precedent where the rebase has been supplemented even later in the fiscal year.”
House Appropriations Senior Chair Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) said, “By cutting Medicaid provider rates now, Gov. Stein is manufacturing a crisis. Our most vulnerable North Carolinians shouldn’t be punished for the sake of political theater.”
Health Appropriations Co-Chair Larry Potts (R-Davidson) said, “Gov. Stein is the only person threatening cuts today. It’s a callous political move, not a fiscal necessity, and North Carolina families will suffer because of it.”
Health Appropriations Co-Chair Timothy Reeder, MD (R-Pitt) said, “Gov. Stein’s Medicaid cuts are his to own. His decision to play politics will hurt both patients and providers across our state.”
Health Appropriations Co-Chair Donna White (R-Johnston) said, “Governor Stein has the tools to fund Medicaid. I hope that he will choose to address the needs of the indigent and IDD communities; they do not need to suffer!”
