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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2026-04-23

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $48 million in state funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services in North Carolina to match Medicare rates, effective July 1, 2026. The increased payments would apply to primary care services as defined by the state's Primary Care Payment Reform Task Force.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that raising Medicaid primary care rates to Medicare levels would improve healthcare access by incentivizing more doctors to accept Medicaid patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
• •They contend that adequate primary care funding prevents more expensive health problems and emergency room visits, ultimately benefiting public health and reducing long-term state costs.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the $48 million annual cost places a significant burden on the state budget that could be allocated to other priorities, and question whether rate increases alone will substantially improve provider participation or patient outcomes.
• •Some may also express concern about whether Medicaid rates matching Medicare is fiscally sustainable long-term or if alternative approaches to improving primary care access might be more cost-effective.