State Health Secretary Argues Against Privatizing Medicaid

North Carolina's health secretary pushed back Wednesday against a state Senate proposal to privatize Medicaid through the creation of a regional Department of Medical Benefits.

 Dr. Aldona Wos pleaded her case before a legislative subcommittee whose mission is exploring a Medicaid overhaul.

Changes to Medicaid could include removing the program from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and creating the new initiative.

The proposal for a separate department is a result of disappointment by Republican lawmakers over how the DHHS is performing on its cost-controlling and budget-forecasting expectations.

The N.C. House, Governor Pat McCrory and Wos have opposed the privatization proposal for months. They prefer refining the existing system.

According to the News and Record of Greensboro, Wos told the committee that improvements could come about by implementing better management, budget forecasting, staffing and communication.

She warned that a decision to remove her department entirely would be disruptive and divert resources from implementing any improvements.