Gov. Pat McCrory announced his plans for the 2017 health care budget proposal. During a press conference in Raleigh Monday, he outlined five priority areas. A large portion of the budget would go toward funding mental health and substance abuse programs.
His policy proposals include expanding Medicaid services for Alzheimer's patients and for people with developmental disabilities and Autism.
The budget also sets aside around $30 million to support various mental health and substance abuse programs. That would mean more emergency housing for adults transitioning from hospitals or prisons. There would be investments for more trained workers to help case management for children in foster care and in the juvenile justice system.
And it proposes legislation that would authorize access to Naloxone at pharmacies in North Carolina. It's a life-saving drug for anyone who overdoses on prescription opioids or heroin.
The governor's plan also earmarks around $2 million to increase enrollment in the state pre-kindergarten program by 400 students.
Another priority in the health care budget is preparing North Carolina to respond to the Zika virus. Gov. McCrory says funding would be used to help identify and track the mosquito that carries the virus.
The legislature will begin reviewing McCrory's complete budget proposal later this month.
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