Key Discussions in North Carolina’s Budget Talks: MLB Team, Hospital Funding, and More
In North Carolina, a crucial dialogue unfolds regarding the state’s budget, as Speaker of the House Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger engage in negotiations to resolve outstanding issues. These discussions have been centered around attracting a Major League Baseball expansion team, advancing various capital projects, and securing funding for the NC Children’s hospital.
The proposed NC Children’s hospital is a collaborative effort by Duke Health and UNC Health, aiming to establish a 500-bed freestanding children’s hospital in Apex, with an estimated cost of $3 billion.
Previously, the state’s 2023 budget had allocated $320 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the NC Children’s hospital. This included a plan for a third year of ARPA funding, which was initially part of the Senate’s budget proposal but omitted from the House’s version.
The budget framework revealed by Berger and Hall earlier this year proposed a compromise, allocating an additional $208 million in ARPA funds to the hospital in the upcoming budget. This includes $105 million specified in the 2023 spending plan and another $105 million initially earmarked for clinics under an ECU Health and UNC Health partnership.
Uncertainties remain about whether the children’s hospital will receive further state funding in the final budget. In a press conference held in May, Berger hinted at the possibility of additional funding, although he acknowledged that this topic hasn’t been a focal point in his discussions with Hall so far.
“I think it’s a fair question as to whether or not there would be some additional money that may be authorized by the General Assembly, but that quite frankly hasn’t been brought up in the conversation that he and I have had thus far and certainly has not been decided,” Berger stated.
Hall, on the other hand, expressed some skepticism when questioned about the potential for more funding. “We don’t have unlimited dollars, and are there other state-supported hospitals across the state that need capital funds? The answer to that’s obviously yes,” Hall remarked.
Highlighting concerns from the House Republican Caucus, Hall noted that there is interest in directing state funds towards rural hospitals. “At some point, you have to look to see, ‘OK, we’ve given several hundred million dollars to this hospital in Apex. Is that enough?’ And maybe we need to look at, especially, the rural parts of the state and their hospitals,” Hall added.
