NC House Republicans are concerned about the possibility of fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicaid program. They are therefore calling State Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the state Health and Human Service secretary to testify before their oversight committee according to Carolina Journal.
Recent revelations in Minnesota and California undoubtedly spurred this action.
Most people think of Medicaid as a government health insurance program for the poor and disabled. With Medicaid expansion, more people became eligible.
But Medicaid is much more than that. It is an enormously complex, extensive program. It has many moving pieces– including some that the general public would never even imagine. Astute, clever folks out in the community are able to draw from it and capitalize upon it in various ways.
The Republicans are right to focus on fraud. However, part of the responsibility for the explosion in Medicaid costs is their own fault. They passed Medicaid expansion. And they have allowed and funded for many years various optional services in the Medicaid program. They could eliminate those optional services this week and repeal Medicaid expansion if they chose to do so.
Moreover, the states are not required to participate in the federal Medicaid program. The Raleigh Republicans could make a decision to withdraw participation entirely if they chose to do so… but obviously they won’t.
Yes, TC, I agree. Medicaid expansion was a colossal error. I hope that in the short session a Republican would introduce a bill to have North Carolina opt out of this disaster .
I hope, Fred, they opt out of the whole kit and caboodle. Stick a fork in it.