RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - After years of running in the red, North Carolina's Medicaid program for the poor has finished the fiscal year with cash on hand.

The Department of Health and Human Services reports Medicaid coffers had $130.7 million as of June 30.

This is the second consecutive year the Medicaid program has finished with cash on hand. The money has been turned back to the state's general operating fund, as the law requires.

 “This important accomplishment is a result of the prudent fiscal stewardship by our administration and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos," said Governor Pat McCrory in a statement announcing the surplus. “North Carolina's Medicaid budget is in far better shape, but there is still more work to be done to implement a long-term solution for our Medicaid program.”

 Prior to the past two fiscal years, the Medicaid program experienced shortfalls of nearly $2 billion over a four-year period.