McCrory on MSNBC: NC Medicaid "broken"

In a appearance on MSNBC Friday morning, Gov. Pat McCrory reiterated his opposition to expanding Medicaid in North Carolina. 

Next week, state lawmakers are expected to send him their measure banning the expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act.

A recent change of heart by Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott left some political observers wondering whether McCrory might change his mind as well. 

McCrory said on MSNBC that's not the case, telling host Chuck Todd that the state's Medicaid system is "broken."

"Before I expand the system, I've got to fix the current system," McCrory said.  

McCrory also talked about the potential effects of sequestration on the state and took the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments in his first six weeks. 

"I owe the federal government $2.6 billion dollars for unemployment compensation. I owe the federal government that money," he said. 

(Actually, the state's businesses owe the federal government that money. The state is not responsible for covering that debt.)

"So I cut some of the benefits and actually raised some of the fees on businesses, because they were only paying off the interest," he said. "I believe government, whether at the local, state,or federal level, has to pay off the credit cards."

McCrory also weighed in on the increasingly strident tone of political debate and campaigns in both parties.  

"People are looking for leadership. They're looking for problem-solvers. They're looking for hard workers," he told Todd. "They're not looking for whiners."

McCrory is in Washington for a meeting of the National Governors' Association.