INBOX: Letters to the Editor
Medicaid costs in crisis

Dear Editor:

For many years, Medicaid has been a major part of county budgets in North Carolina. Counties have requested relief from the state to end its requirement that county governments use local revenues - mostly those provided by property tax - to fund 15 percent of the state's share of Medicaid.

It now appears that the Legislature is serious about providing Medicaid relief for counties. The state Senate's budget proposal includes a provision that would permanently end the county costshare requirement by July 1, 2008. According to information provided by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners our 2007-2008 projected costs have grown 72 percent since 2000 due to the unprecedented growth of costs associated with this program. The need for a permanent solution to this funding crisis has never been greater.

Medicaid is a growing line item in our county budget that we have no way to control. To be relieved of this Medicaid obligation would increase our ability to use our local revenues to pay for critical local needs such as schools, water, and sewer services. It would also help us to maintain a fair and equitable tax rate. As county commissioners we support this effort to permanently eliminate this financial burden and believe it is an important step in securing a better quality of life for the citizens of Clay County.

In my role as a Clay County Commissioner, I serve as the legislative liaison for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. This organization strongly supports this important legislation.

- Harry Jarrett, Clay County Commissioner

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