McCrory Looks At Expanding Medicaid

Governor Pat McCrory is looking at ways to expand Medicaid in the state. He says he is trying to balance sharing the fiscal load with Washington and expanding the state's bureaucracy.

McCrory told a meeting of corporate CEOs in Raleigh on Thursday that for months he's been willing to consider offering Medicaid to more of the working poor after containing costs and improving service delivery to the nearly 2 million already covered. These comments add to signs that state Republican leaders may reconsider opposition to Medicaid expansion.

Medicaid is the health insurance plan for the poor and the disabled. According to the Greensboro News and Record, about 500,000 low income North Carolinians could qualify for Medicaid if it is expanded. The U.S. government said it would cover 100% of the state's expansion costs through 2016 and at least 90% in later years.

This week, state health secretary Aldona Wos said she plans to present McCrory soon with expansion options.