Health Care

If you’ve ever been hit with a slew of confusing bills after a hospital stay, had a long wait for an insurance approval or struggled to pay an unexpectedly high medical bill, you know how frustrating health care in North Carolina can be.In fact, by at least one measure, it’s the worst in the nation: A 2024 Forbes Advisor analysis found that the state had the highest average premium for employer-sponsored insurance that includes a worker and a “plus-one.”This session, under growing pressure from patients and health care providers, lawmakers in Raleigh are considering a series of bills designed to trim health care costs and improve access.

More than one in three abortions provided in North Carolina last year was to an out-of-state resident — a reflection of dwindling access across the South.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says nearly 100 hospitals have agreed to participate in a first-of-its-kind initiative that could help low- and middle-income patients get rid of billions of dollars in debt. These hospitals will get even higher Medicaid payments if medical debt on their books get cleared and they carry out ways for future patients to avoid liabilities.

North Carolina tightly regulates health services and caps the number of licensed acute care beds in a county or service area. N.C. Department of Health and Human Services regulates health services through the Division of Health Service Regulation.

The General Assembly was expected to pass a state budget by July 1. Now, it could be weeks until a budget is approved and state health officials can start rolling out Medicaid expansion.

Jesse Thomas describes himself as a “no-nonsense Republican” who aims to attract a broad middle ground of voters. He announced his bid last week.

When parents cannot find treatment for their children, or cannot afford the available treatment, their last resort may be refusing to pick up their children from the hospital. This sparks a call to social services — which sometimes is the only way to get the needed care.

After a NC Health News/ News & Observer/ Charlotte Observer report of alleged mistreatment and sexual assault of an 11-year-old patient, Brynn Marr Hospital has been under months of state and federal scrutiny, jeopardizing its federal insurance reimbursement.

The state Senate released its budget proposal on Monday afternoon, and the spending plan sets up a big disagreement with House Republicans over the size of state worker raises.

A bill moving quickly through the North Carolina legislature would permit the state's largest health insurer to transform away from being a true nonprofit. And legislative Republicans want to again expand the voucher program known as Opportunity Scholarships.