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22 <br /> 1 Chair Bedford said that John Roberts and Tara May can work on that language and bring <br /> 2 it back to the Board. <br /> 3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about item H, "Removal." She asked how Tara May is <br /> 4 notified of attendance. <br /> 5 Tara May said she receives attendance reports quarterly. <br /> 6 Commissioner Fowler said the Board used to see those reports, and she asked why they <br /> 7 were no longer included in agenda items. <br /> 8 Tara May said there was discussion about what to include as attachments and it was <br /> 9 decided to not include attendance reports. <br /> 10 Chair Bedford asked if that process is working. <br /> 11 Tara May said yes. <br /> 12 Vice-Chair Hamilton said it was good to have a review of the policy. She asked Tara May <br /> 13 if the word "commissions" should be kept. <br /> 14 Tara May said it was noted at the beginning that all boards and commissions would be <br /> 15 referred to as advisory boards in the policy. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton to <br /> 18 approve the amendments to the BOCC Advisory Board Policy. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 21 <br /> 22 7. Reports <br /> 23 a. Medicaid Expansion in Orange County One Year After Implementation <br /> 24 The Board received an update on Medicaid Expansion in Orange County one year after initial <br /> 25 implementation. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 BACKGROUND: State lawmakers approved legislation in early 2023 that called for Medicaid <br /> 28 expansion in North Carolina, and then-Governor Roy Cooper signed it into law in March 2023. On <br /> 29 December 1, 2023, the legislation went into effect in North Carolina expanding Medicaid access <br /> 30 to more North Carolinians. Medicaid now covers people ages 19 through 64 years with incomes <br /> 31 up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. This is about $20,000 for an individual and about <br /> 32 $34,000 for a family of three. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 Medicaid provides comprehensive medical coverage including services like primary care, <br /> 35 maternity care, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, and hearing and vision. Those previously <br /> 36 receiving full Medicaid coverage under other programs were not affected by these changes and <br /> 37 have continued receiving services. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Orange County Social Services staff worked hard to prepare for and implement the expanded <br /> 40 Medicaid program in Orange County. In FY 2023-2024 the Orange County Board of County <br /> 41 Commissioners approved the creation of nine (9) new, permanent positions to support the <br /> 42 increased workload. Social Services staff developed plans for hiring, training, and rollout of the <br /> 43 new program and began taking applications on December 1, 2023. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 As of December 31, 2024, more than 4,600 Orange County residents have been enrolled in the <br /> 46 new Medicaid program. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 <br />