Jennifer Balkcom Called Medicaid “A System That Is Already Broken”

2022: Balkcom Said She Agreed With Another Politician Who Referred To Medicaid As “A System That Is Already Broken”

2022: In Discussing Medicaid Expansion, Balkcom Said She Agreed With State Auditor Beth Wood That “You Just Can’t Keep Putting A Bunch Of People Into A System That Is Already Broken.” “Republican leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper have cracked the door on a possible compromise to allow for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. Do you support or oppose expansion? […] Balkcom: […] I agree with State Auditor Beth Wood, who said, ‘You just can't keep putting a bunch of people into a system that is already broken.’ The result is substandard care for those folks who need it the most. And Medicaid spending is projected to grow exponentially. Where are all those billions of dollars going to come from to pay for it?’” [Hendersonville Lightning, 5/5/22]

2022: Balkcom Expressed Concern About Where To Find Funding For Medicaid Expansion

2022: When Asked About Medicaid Expansion, Balkcom Said, “As Far As Expansion Goes, I’m Not In Favor Of That. I Think The Concern Is Where We Are Going To Find It In The Budget.” “Are you in favor or do you oppose a Medicaid expansion in North Carolina? […] BALKCOM: ‘I agree with Chelsea [Walsh], I think there's all different levels as well. As far as expansion goes, I'm not in favor of that. I think the concern is where are we going to find it in the budget.’” [Hendersonville Lightning, 5/1/22]

• Chelsea Walsh On Whether She Supported Medicaid Expansion: “I Believe First That We Need To Look At The Budget…Yes, And Mayble No… Medicaid Is Not A Black-And-White Issue.” “Are you in favor or do you oppose a Medicaid expansion in North Carolina? WALSH: ‘If we want to talk about our right and our left responses, our Republican and our Democrat responses, the general response as a Republican is say no, continuously. Here's what I want to educate you on and I think this is very important. There is not one level of Medicaid and when I say that there is Medicaid that is allocated for earmarking lower costs and prescriptions. There is Medicaid that's allocated for different health conditions. There is Medicaid that is available for saving money on your insurance premiums. There is Medicaid that is available for women who are having babies or children that need dental. So that is the most broad question that you could ask because it's not just a yes and no question. I believe first that we need to look at the budget and figure out where the funds are going and if there's an opportunity to reallocate the funds, we need to do that. Two years ago, over 50 percent of the births in North Carolina, were on Medicaid. So to answer your question, yes, maybe no. And I don't just say that because that's the most political answer. A lot of people don't realize that Medicaid is not a black-and-white issue. And we really need to go in and look at the line items and see where the funding is going and how we can save the taxpayers money.’” [Hendersonville Lightning, 5/1/22]

2022: Balkcom: “I Oppose Expanding Medicaid”

2022: Balkcom: “I Oppose Expanding Medicaid.” “Republican leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper have cracked the door on a possible compromise to allow for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. Do you support or oppose expansion? […] Balkcom: ‘I oppose expanding Medicaid. Medicaid was designed to provide health insurance and health services to our most vulnerable citizens. It makes no sense to add tens of millions of able-bodied adults, which is what expansion entails. I agree with State Auditor Beth Wood, who said, ‘You just can't keep putting a bunch of people into a system that is already broken.’ The result is substandard care for those folks who need it the most. And Medicaid spending is projected to grow exponentially. Where are all those billions of dollars going to come from to pay for it?’” [Hendersonville Lightning, 5/5/22]

• Balkcom: “Medicaid Was Designed To Provide Health Insurance And Health Services To Our Most Vulnerable Citizens. It Makes No Sense To Add Tens Of Millions Of Able-Bodied Adults.” “Republican leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper have cracked the door on a possible compromise to allow for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. Do you support or oppose expansion? […] Balkcom: ‘I oppose expanding Medicaid. Medicaid was designed to provide health insurance and health services to our most vulnerable citizens. It makes no sense to add tens of millions of able-bodied adults, which is what expansion entails.” [Hendersonville Lightning, 5/5/22]