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VIA Health warns of state budget cuts that could curtail local programs; enrollment figures presented
Summary
VIA Health told the board there are 1,739 county enrollees across Medicaid Direct and tailored plans and warned that proposed state budget reductions could eliminate funding for locally important programs such as the Healthy Opportunities pilot.
Zach (Speaker 14), representing VIA Health, briefed commissioners on managed‑care enrollment and potential budget risks. He reported 1,169 individuals on Medicaid Direct and 570 on a tailored plan in Ashe County for a total of 1,739 enrolled county residents.
Zach highlighted concern about proposed state budget reductions that could affect services. He said the House budget floated a $30 million reduction statewide while the Senate proposal was $15 million; using a simple proportional estimate he suggested a House‑level cut could amount to roughly a $6 million impact on VIA Health statewide, with the potential for local program reductions. He said the Healthy Opportunities pilot ended service on July 1 due to funding and that innovation waiver slots and traumatic brain injury waiver slots are not funded in current proposals.
Zach also noted operational items: VIA Health and DSS are coordinating on a Dec. 1, 2025, go‑live date for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Child and Family Specialty Plan waiver, and VIA Health continues to monitor federal and state budget developments that could affect service levels.
Next steps: VIA Health will continue to work with local DSS offices and county officials to prepare for the Dec. 1 transition and to identify program impacts if state budget reductions are finalized.
