Michael Stoiko, MD, a pediatric intensivist with Coastal Children’s Services in Wilmington, spoke at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Medicaid listening session held in Raleigh on May 16. Dr. Stoiko told the heartrending story of a 5-year-old with asthma who arrived brain dead at the emergency department because the parents had no access to regular primary care for her. He said it is not possible for the state to become stronger or compete on an global level if our kids are sick and urged the state to make children a special carve-out within the Medicaid program.
