Submitted by Lee Dobson, Area Director, NC Government Affairs (GAO)

Lawmakers return to Raleigh, NC for the start of the 2017-2019 legislative session on January 11.  We expect to see a few changes in committee assignments and leadership, especially in House Appropriations for Health & Human Services (HHS), with the election defeat of Representative Marilyn Avila.  However, we anticipate (and are thrilled) that Representative Nelson Dollar will remain Chair of HHS Appropriations and Representative Josh Dobson will assume the leadership position of vice-chair on that committee.  Senators Ralph Hise and Louis Pate will remain Co-Chairs of Senate Appropriations for HHS.  Our reimbursement priority is to increase the Medicaid aide rate from $13.88 to $17.00 over two years.