A plan to revamp the N.C. State Employees' Health Plan has been delayed again on its way to the Senate floor. Lawmakers are struggling to meet an April 1 deadline for passage of a plan, but are divided on how to fund it.

The plan would take effect July 1. Any changes to the plan must be made prior to 90 days of that date to avoid financial penalties. Governor Beverly Perdue has already appropriated $250,000 from a contingency fund to get the plan through the remainder of this fiscal year.

One of the main issues is the prescription drug provision in the plan. Retail pharmacists say the plan as written would take business away from them and encourage over 600,000 state employees to use a mail-order pharmacy.

Lawmakers hope to reach consensus on the bill in the next few days. The bill has been put back on the Senate calendar for Tuesday.