February 16, 2006: NC Association of County Commissioners

There were two items of much interest to us:

1. Medicaid relief

Senator Tony Rand told us the only way counties would get out from under the Medicaid expenses we incur (Chatham: $2.2 million/year) would be the 1 cent for 1 cent idea . The General Assembly is not going to accept the revenue responsibility for Medicaid outright, but:

If the counties give up the revenue of 1 penny sales tax to the state, then the state will assume all responsibility for Medicaid and authorize the counties to levy a new 1 penny sales tax to recoup their losses. This would be a deal for Chatham in my opinion, but we would have to levy the tax and take the heat that the General Assembly clearly has no intention of taking. The NC Association of County Commissioners appears very split on this proposal and may not take a position at all!

1. Health and Human Services

DHHS Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom addressed the current status of mental health reform in NC. There will be further partnerships developed – 5 initially to see how it works. If it works well, there will be approximately 20 throughout the state.

For now, Orange Person Chatham Mental Health will continue as is – planning and divesting services.