Gov. Cooper signs Medicaid expansion bill into law

RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) - Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill that would expand eligibility for Medicaid on Monday, March 27 after approval in the N.C. Senate and House of Representatives.

The bill, Access to Healthcare Options, will provide Medicaid coverage via NC Health Works to adults under the age of 64 with an income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. It also increases hospital assessments to provide funding for the expansion.

Another section of the bill establishes measures to promote employment among people enrolled in Medicaid.

Under current law, many equipment purchases and renovations performed by medical facilities must first be approved by the government via a certificate of need review. The bill would remove the certificate of need review requirement from psychiatric beds and facilities, chemical dependency treatment beds and facilities, replacement equipment up to $3 million and certain other services and equipment expenses.

The increased eligibility will take effect after the state budget is approved, which typically occurs in the summer months.

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