NC Governor Backs Bill Blocking Health Care Exchanges & Medicare Expansion

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has announced his support for a bill that will will block the state from expanding North Carolina’s Medicaid program or setting up state health care exchanges created by Obamacare. From WRAL:

Gov. Pat McCrory is backing a move by the legislature to block the state from expanding its Medicaid program or participating in the state health insurance exchanges created by the federal Affordable Care Act.

McCrory has held back his thoughts on the issue during his first weeks in office, although he did express concern that the Medicaid portion of the bill could keep North Carolina from drawing down federal funding to improve a key computer system. That concern seems to have taken a less central role in deliberations as the bill has gained momentum in the legislative process.

“Throughout our first few weeks in office, we have done a thorough review of the advantages and disadvantages of expanding Medicaid in North Carolina and determining the right exchange option for our state,” McCrory said in a news release Tuesday. “The results of our findings make it abundantly clear that North Carolina is not ready to expand the Medicaid system and that we should utilize a federal exchange.”

Good.