State health plan needs $1.2b by 2011

The state health plan needs $1.2 billion over the next two years.

State financial officials presented the figure at a meeting this morning on the upcoming state budget, which already faces a $2 billion shortfall.

Directors of the plan have been operating under emergency measures since December.

The plan covers teachers and state employees across North Carolina.

Update: Officials said they will need a special appropriation of $300 million this fiscal year to keep the plan running.