North Carolina health plan needs $1.2 billion

The North Carolina health plan needs $1.2 billion over the next two years, and officials have said they will need a special appropriation of $300 million this fiscal year to keep the plan running. As lawmakers seek to shore up the plan, they face tough choices: Raise premiums, which are mostly covered by tax money; reduce health benefits; or both. The legislature could shift more insurance costs to employees or cut their medical benefits.