Resolution - 5/06 - State Assume Co. Share of Medicaid

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2006 - c P LEE COUN 0 Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE ASSUMPTION OF COUNTY SHARE OF MEDICAID WHEREAS, North Carolina is one the only state that requires its counties to pay a fixed percentage of the state's Medicaid services costs; and WHEREAS, the counties' share of Medicaid reimbursements has increased 85 percent since 2000 and is expected to total approximately $488 million in FY 07; and WHEREAS, counties are not allowed to set Medicaid policy, eligibility criteria, service options or provider rates; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that in FY 07 Lee County will spend $2,889,980 or approximately 4.7 percent of its expenditures for services to Medicaid eligible citizens; and WHEREAS, in Lee County 7.64 cents of tax rate goes to support Medicaid and 15.3 percent of the population is Medicaid eligible; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Instruction's School Planning section 2006 Long Range Facility Plans recently identified $9.7 billion of school facility needs over the next five years; and • WHEREAS, the county Medicaid mandate is compromising some counties' ability to meet the demands for new classroom space and classroom improvements; and WHEREAS, the state has a budget surplus for 2006 -07 of more than $2.4 billion; and WHEREAS, bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that would provide $65 million of Medicaid relief for counties in 2006 -07; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lee County Board of Commissioners urges the North Carolina General Assembly to include County Medicaid relief when it adopts its budget for 2006 -07. FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the General Assembly representing Lee County and to all 100 counties in North Carolina. Adopted this 15 day of May 2006. n AT EST: Herbert A. Hincks, Chairman Gaynef M. Lee, Clerk — •