Raleigh, N.C. – The chairs of the Senate Health Care Committee introduced two bills to bring down the cost of healthcare in the state and increase pricing transparency.
All tagged health
John Hood: We Need More Hospital Competition
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s hospital sector has undergone lots of mergers and acquisitions over the past decade. Now the pace of change is, if anything, accelerating.
Study: COVID fear to cause long-term labor shortage
New research predicts long-term pain for the labor market due to around 3 million workers who plan to remain permanently sidelined over concerns of physical illness or physical impairment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Cooper urges Congress to pass supplemental funding for coronavirus response
Governor Roy Cooper sent a letter to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation urging Congress to act immediately on a funding package for COVID-19 so that the state can stay ready in the event of a future surge.
John Hood: Feds blew it on COVID relief
If ever there was justification for sudden, expedited, large-scale federal expenditure, the COVID crisis was it. Americans faced a deadly pandemic.
State Supreme Court rules government retirees had contractual health care right
The N.C. Supreme Court has ruled, 4-2, that 220,000 state government retirees had a contractual right to premium-free health care benefits that had been promised to them. Now a trial court will have to determine whether state changes to those benefits a decade ago violated the contract.
Innovative healthcare payment and delivery to be piloted in North Carolina
To improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries, and to reduce costs, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is building an innovative health care delivery system with a payment structure that rewards better health outcomes, integrates physical and behavioral health, and invests in non-medical interventions. The effort is part of Managed Care Transformation.
Rep. Murphy selected to join Ways and Means Committee
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement after being chosen to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and Health and Oversight Subcommittees for the 117th Congress.
COVID-19 boosters recommended for children ages 12 to 15, additional dose recommended for immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday announced it recommends the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for children ages 12 to 15 to further protect them from COVID-19. The CDC also recommends a third dose of Pfizer for children ages 5 to 11 who have compromised immune systems.
Kody H. Kinsley to take oath as NCDHHS Secretary
Kody H. Kinsley will be take his oath as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services during a brief ceremony at noon, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.
Health experts warn of significant impact from Omicron variant of COVID-19; NCDHHS urges everyone to get vaccinated
Health experts are warning that the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is expected to cause the greatest surge in COVID-19 infections to date in the coming months. The CDC and NCDHHS urge people to get vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) as soon as possible and to get a booster as soon as they are eligible to help prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death.
Governor Cooper: Get tested ahead of holiday gatherings and get boosted if you’re eligible
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 key metrics and trends.
NCDHHS, local partners to use new mobile units
In order to better reach those with substance use disorders, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $4.4 million in funding for 15 mobile units to provide screening, assessment, treatment, primary care and recovery support services.
As Cooper pushes vaccines, Cohen says she has no plans to seek elected office
Gov. Roy Cooper and state health secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen addressed the nascent Omicron variant Tuesday, Nov. 30, but they were reticent to raise alarms, in contrast to local media reports over the past couple of days.
Governor Cooper encourages families to get vaccinated at Forsyth County
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. visited and toured the family vaccination site at St. Peter's Church & World Outreach Center in Forsyth County. The family vaccination site, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), offers vaccines for children ages 5 and up and adults.
State Supreme Court considers case that could increase nurses' legal liability
The N.C. Supreme Court will decide in the months ahead whether a nurse can face greater legal liability for a patient's injuries. The decision could reinforce or throw out a nearly 90-year-old court precedent.
Attorney General Josh Stein announces online resource to help fight opioid crisis
Attorney General Josh Stein and state and local partners today unveiled a new online dashboard to help local governments in North Carolina fight the opioid crisis in their communities. The dashboard is available at https://ncopioidsettlement.org/ and offers resources to help communities decide the best ways to use their share of the nearly $850 million that could come to North Carolina to combat the opioid crisis.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine now available for children ages 5-11
Children ages 5 to 11 can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children in this age group, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all children 5–11 get the vaccine to protect against serious illness and help keep them healthy.
Cary drops masking rules, even as Cooper maintains two-year-old emergency order
COVID-19 numbers are down across the board, yet the governor and health secretary continue to encourage people to wear masks and to follow a two-year-old emergency order.
Governor Cooper provides positive update on State’s COVID-19 trends, Encourages vaccination
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 key metrics and trends.