AN ACT to express the general assembly's intent to increase access to health care in north carolina by expanding ELIGIBILITY for the medicaid program to residents with a modified adjusted gross income that is below one hundred percent of the federal poverty level.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the General Assembly to expand Medicaid eligibility to the following population of North Carolina residents:

(1)        Individuals with a modified adjusted gross income that is below one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level.

(2)        Individuals who are age 19 or older and under age 65.

(3)        Individuals who are not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act.

(4)        Individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage under the North Carolina State Plan as it existed on October 1, 2019.

SECTION 2.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that the costs associated with Medicaid expansion to the population described under Section 1 of this act shall be paid entirely from the following sources and without assistance from the federal government:

(1)        Five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) to be paid from the General Fund.

(2)        A tax on pharmaceuticals sold in this State.

(3)        An increase in assessments on hospitals similar to the Hospital Provider Assessment Act in Article 7 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes.

(4)        A tax on prepaid health plan premiums and an assessment on managed care organizations operating in this State.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.