Bill to Review State Health Plan Clears First Hurdle 

A bill that would create a joint legislative committee to study the financial sustainability of the NC State Health Plan cleared a big hurdle on Tuesday.  HB184, “Study State Health Plan Design,” passed through House Health Policy Committee with favorable report, and is scheduled to be heard in House Rules on Monday. 
https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/bill-blocking-state-health-plan-changes-passes-1st-committee-test/

Senate Healthcare Bill

Top Senate leaders filed an omnibus healthcare bill this week that would attempt to expand coverage without expanding Medicaid.  SB361, introduced on Tuesday by primary sponsors, Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), Sen. Dan Bishop (R-Mecklenburg) and Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), would add the severely disabled to the Medicaid rolls.  The legislation would also abolish certificate of need laws (CON), create a multi-state psychology compact, and expand categories of mental health providers who are authorized to perform psychological services.   The bill calls for a $41 million appropriation, adding 2,000 IDD Medicaid innovation waiver slots over the next two years.  By contrast, Democrats, under the leadership of Governor Roy Cooper, have named Medicaid expansion as a top legislative priority for 2019.
https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2019/03/27/gop-senators-plan-would-fund-services-for-people-with-disabilities-end-con-requirement/

Tailored “Plans”

The NC Department of Health and Human Services has set a target date for enrolling those with severe behavioral health issues into individual tailored Medicaid plans.  That goal is July 2021.  Behavioral health includes mental health, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury and intellectual/developmental disability disorders. Enrollment can include individuals on waiting lists for services. As part of Medicaid reform, the state's seven behavioral health LME/MCO’s would continue to oversee individuals with severe behavioral-health symptoms for up to four years. Meanwhile, four prepaid plans (PHP) will oversee behavioral and physical healthcare for individuals considered as "mild" to "moderate" for behavioral healthcare in standard plans.  (Richard Craver, WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 3/26/19)

Budget Schedule

House Speaker Tim Moore announced on Thursday that he expects the House budget proposal to be released by the end of April.  Next week, the Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs will receive their budget targets and a schedule for completion of their portion of the budget.  This schedule puts final budget negotiations between the House, the Senate, and the Governor well ahead of previous legislative sessions.  This extra time for negotiations is necessary this year as the final budget will need the backing of the Governor or a substantial number of legislative Democrats, given the absence of a veto-proof majority in the House and Senate.