House Democrats are sticking with their North Carolina state government budget for now even though the plan contains nearly a half-billion dollars in federal Medicaid dollars that may never arrive.
House Democrats said Tuesday they're developing a contingency plan to take care of any shortfall that may develop should Congress fail to approve $24 billion for states to extend a more generous Medicaid formula for six more months.
The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved a measure that left out the extra money. North Carolina's share would be $490 million.
House Speaker Joe Hackney said he's still optimistic Capitol Hill will approve the money since many states are counting on it.
The House will debate its spending plan this week.
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