HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2006-037 Petitioning the State for county Medicaid Reliefi~ ~s ~a cz~~ -/J3 7
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Petitioning the
State for County Medicaid Relief
WHEREAS, finding a solution for Medicaid costs is universally held as a top
priority for counties in the State of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the statewide county share of Medicaid is projected to be $488
million in 2006-07 and, at the anticipated national growth rate of 8.6%, could
eclipse $1 billion within the next ten years; and
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WHEREAS, Orange County has seen a 90% increase in Medicaid since 2000
and $0.04 of the County's tax rate pays the mandated share, funds that
otherwise could be used to fund other critical needs such as school construction;
and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is the only state that has not taken steps to alleviate
its counties of the Medicaid cost share - a profoundly unfair and archaic practice,
a financial threat to every county, and absolutely devastating to the poorest North
Carolina counties faced with raising property taxes on a shallow tax base, and
spending more money on health care than on schools; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is fundamentally opposed to the "sales tax swap"
proposal under discussion since it allows the State to continue passing the buck
to the counties, forcing counties to subsidize what the State should be doing, and
driving up local taxes; and
WHEREAS, the House Select Sub-Committee on Health Care has brought forth
a new proposal that would provide a permanent cap at this year's Medicaid
levels, target relief to the hardest hit counties, and keep the door open for moving
towards total and permanent relief; and
WHEREAS, if enacted, the Orange County Medicaid cost would be capped at
the present projected level of $4 million rather than facing a possible 10%
increase in the next annual budget
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners continues to support State action to lift the crippling burden of
Medicaid from the backs of its counties, and urges its legislative delegation and
the entire General Assembly to accomplish what the other 48 states have done
by removing this stranglehold from the counties and rightfully assuming Medicaid
as a State responsibility.
This the 18th day of April 2006.
Orange Cosrrsty Boa~r~,of G~pmmissioners