A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE Department of Health and Human Services TO PROVIDE FOR RATE AND INFLATIONARY INCREASES IN STATE‑FUNDED Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services THAT CORRESPOND TO RATE AND INFLATIONARY INCREASES FOR EQUIVALENT MEDICAID SERVICES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall include in its rate‑setting methodology for State‑funded mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services rate and inflationary increases that correspond to rate and inflationary increases provided for equivalent Medicaid services, such that as rates are increased and adjusted for inflation for Medicaid services, a corresponding rate increase and inflation adjustment applies for equivalent State‑funded mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services. The Department shall ensure that rate and inflationary increases do not result in a reduction in the services provided or in the number of persons eligible for services.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.