Agenda 04-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

PUBLIC HEALTH TASK FORCE 2004: PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN 17) The state should fund the local Medicaid share on a phased basis, and direct that a significant percentage of freed up local revenue be appropriated for local public health core infrastructure and service needs. Transition could begin picking up any increase, and then phase down county share percentage on an annual basis until state assumes total amount. Need Addressed /Rationale County Commissioners and Local Health Directors on the Finance Committee repeatedly stressed the burden that the local Medicaid match inflicts on county government in NC, preventing them from having adequate funding to support many of the other critical services needed by local residents. The majority of committee members agreed that this burden needed to be relieved by the state. There was no consensus on whether a percentage of the resulting county funds should be designated by the state for public health purposes. Or, if a percentage were to be designated, there was no consensus on what percentage should be designated. Final consensus was that all agencies of county government would benefit from a more economically sound condition created by this relief including public health, and that this Task Force must recommend that a significant percentage of the local revenue freed up be directed to local public health for infrastructure and core service gaps. Infrastructure /Capacity Improvement This issue is not new with multiple approaches being discussed in the General Assembly. State assumption of the local Medicaid match is the #1 goal of the NC Association of County Commissioners. Public Health would benefit greatly from local government's improved fiscal conditions. Note: Legislative action required. Budget..... FTEs Not placed in funding scheme of this (0) State committee's budget given the broad (0) Local benefits described. 39