North Carolina Budget Fully Funds Medicaid, Provides $25 Million To Restart Healthy Opportunities Pilot

On July 7, 2026, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed the state's fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget. The budget fully funds the state Medicaid program. In addition, it provides $25 million for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to restart the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), which has been suspended since July 2025.

HOP provided eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in rural areas with services addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs), such as housing instability, food insecurity, transportation needs, interpersonal safety, and toxic stress. HOP operated in three regions of the state — northeast, southeast, and west.

NCDHHS launched . . .