The OBBA and the Future of Medicaid: Lessons from North Carolina’s Transformation

In this episode of Voices in Health Law, host Jeff Wurzburg sits down with Dr. Shannon Dowler—family physician, health advocate, and former Chief Medical Officer of the North Carolina Medicaid program—to explore a decade of change in one of the nation’s most closely watched Medicaid programs. From navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to implementing managed care and leading bipartisan Medicaid expansion, Dr. Dowler shares candid insights on policy innovation, the realities of healthcare delivery in rural communities, and why North Carolina’s approach could serve as a blueprint for the future of the Medicaid program.