FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2017
NC Association of Health Plans Statement on Final NC DHHS Medicaid Reform Listening Sessions
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services held the last of its series of four listening sessions on Medicaid reform Tuesday in Raleigh. North Carolina Association of Health Plans Executive Director Ken Lewis released the following statement:
“We appreciate DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen’s efforts to carefully consider the input of the public and stakeholders in North Carolina’s Medicaid transformation. We were especially encouraged by Secretary Cohen’s comments reiterating her commitment to innovation in North Carolina’s Medicaid program and to moving forward with the important managed care reforms passed by the legislature.
“Managed care offers an important opportunity to better align incentives with health outcomes. Pre-paid health plans protect taxpayers from unexpected costs and encourage early interventions that keep patients healthy and avoid costly preventable diseases.
“North Carolina joins 39 other states that have already adopted Medicaid managed care. Our state has the benefit of learning from what has worked in managed care programs around the country. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the extensive experience of NCAHP members working in managed care programs in other states and look forward to working with NCDHHS and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of sustainable, fiscally-sound Medicaid reforms that protect NC taxpayers and provides high quality care to patients.”
####