Rep. Jeffers files bill in North Carolina House to maintain Medicaid coverage

A new bill filed by State Rep. B. Ray Jeffers in the North Carolina House seeks to maintain Medicaid coverage for the expansion population regardless of federal funding changes, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 619 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Health Care Security Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to ensure continuous Medicaid coverage for the expansion population in North Carolina by eliminating a statutory provision that would have discontinued such coverage if the federal medical assistance percentage dropped below 90%. By repealing G.S. 108A-54.3C, the bill removes this trigger mechanism, effectively maintaining Medicaid coverage regardless of changes in the federal assistance percentage. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jeffers and Bryan Cohn proposed the most bills (14) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jeffers, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 2nd House district, replacing previous state representative Larry Yarborough.