How do we get to 2014? We have a huge economic crisis staring us in the face.
Doug Porter, Washington state’s Medicaid director
A waiver may be the only way for North Carolina to afford Medicaid next fiscal year, but Washington is about to get approval for a waiver that it might not be able to afford.
Porter explains the problem well. The only thing the federal government has left for states is to cut optional benefits, but even cutting every single optional benefit does not provide enough savings. It may have to happen, but more will be needed on top of that. Which is why Gov. Perdue and Sec. Cansler should be pushing a federal block grant for all states or a waiver for North Carolina that gives us freedom to transform Medicaid.
