During February, we often think about making connections and building new relationships. Relationships bring joy and connection – but unfortunately, scammers love to prey on other people’s hope and happiness.
All in Health
Governor Cooper Hosts Veterans Roundtable on Supporting Veterans’ Transition to Civilian Life
Governor Roy Cooper hosted a veterans roundtable discussion focused on supporting North Carolina’s veterans during the transition to civilian life and beyond.
Op-Ed: Oversight or Oversight? 5 Ways the FDA Failed the Public This Year
“This product has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.” That endorsement should be the gold standard by which consumers make smart choices about the medications they use and products they trust. Unfortunately, each year the FDA lets many severely defective drugs and products slip though.
Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Incentivize Better Health Care at Lower Costs
Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues recently introduced the Value in Health Care Act, bipartisan legislation that would update the program parameters of Medicare’s Alternative Payment Models (APMs) to incentivize participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACO).
John Hood: Lawmakers Should Close Health Plan Hole
During the 2023 fiscal year, the federal government ran a $1.7 trillion deficit. That’s an increase of $320 billion, or 23%, over last year’s deficit. And the worst is yet to come.
Op-Ed: Action Urged on PBM Reform
It is hard enough to manage the high out-of-pocket expenses that come with the prescription medications I rely on without having to worry about greedy insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers using every trick in the book to boost their profits at the expense of patient access and affordability.
Murphy Introduces Legislation to Prevent Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. has introduced legislation, the Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act, a bipartisan measure to prevent the full Medicare physician fee schedule cuts from being implemented on January 1, 2024.
Op-Ed: Something must be done about NC’s oral health care crisis
Approximately 600,000 adults in North Carolina are now receiving Medicaid health coverage as the result of Medicaid expansion this month. Preventing disease and providing early treatment for people is a critical step toward a healthier North Carolina. Unfortunately, despite Medicaid coverage, many of these folks will have limited access to oral health car
North Carolina Democrats Demand an End to Political Gamesmanship
On March 23rd, Republican leadership joined Democrats at the Governor’s mansion to celebrate the long overdue passage of Medicaid expansion—promising to (finally) deliver access to affordable healthcare to 600,000 North Carolinians upon the adoption of a state budget.
State Treasurer Folwell Releases Report Exposing Hospital Noncompliance with Federal Price Transparency Rules and Huge Price Markups
North Carolina State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, released a report today that shows extreme variations in hospital prices, huge price markups from Medicare rates, and widespread failures in price transparency.
Stein Leads Bipartisan Coalition Pushing FDA to Protect Kids from E-Cigarette
Attorney General Josh Stein today led a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Tobacco Products to do more to protect kids from e-cigarettes.
Rep. John Bell Endorses Rep. Jon Hardister for NC Labor Commissioner
Raleigh, NC- Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) announced the endorsement of Rep. John Bell. (R Wayne, Majority Leader) for his campaign for NC Labor Commissioner.
Cooper Announces $1M Plan to Address Bus Driver Crisis, Urges Budget Action
Governor Roy Cooper announced an investment to help tackle North Carolina's school bus driver shortage crisis by allocating $1 million in federal funding to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to enhance school bus driver training capacity.
Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Severe Weather
Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency to activate the state’s emergency operations plan, waive transportation rules to help the transport of fuel and critical supplies and services, help first responders and assist the agriculture industry to prepare in advance for inclement weather and protect consumers from price gouging.
North Carolinians Can Now See How Local Governments Plan to Spend Opioid Settlement Funds
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein announced that North Carolinians can view how their local governments plan to spend the approximately $1.2 billion coming to counties and municipalities to combat the opioid overdose crisis.
Ensuring a Brighter Future One Meal, One Student at A Time
Others cannot help but raise an eyebrow when I tell them that, not only did I thoroughly enjoy teaching 7th grade, but my favorite class to teach - 4th period - included a 25-minute lunch break in the middle of the class period. Although the unpadded circular seats took some time getting used to, I cherished the opportunity to build bonds with my students each day. It was during lunchtime, however, that I noticed the impact that a missed meal has on a student.
Attorney General Josh Stein announces sentencing in $4 million health care fraud
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein announced that James Craig Bell, the owner of Townsend’s Pharmacy in Robeson County, was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. His fraudulent practices cost Medicare and the North Carolina Medicaid program more than $4 million over a decade.
Attorney General Stein Pushes for Legislation To Protect Veterans’ Benefits
Attorney General Josh Stein today urged Congress to protect military veterans by passing the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (G.U.A.R.D.) Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Act. The bipartisan legislation will hold accountable unaccredited and unregulated bad actors who prey upon veterans applying for federal VA benefits.
OP-ED: UNC Health antitrust exemptions in the budget would hurt consumers
Right now, the proposed state budget includes changes that would be a huge step backward for healthcare in North Carolina. As our options for healthcare grow, patients deserve the protections currently in place to ensure that growth is fair.
John Hood: Presidential Primaries Need a Shake-Up
I know you may find this news depressing, but we’re only five months away from the first votes in the 2024 presidential election. Our current primary system is absurd. The contests start way too early. And their location is unfair to large swaths of American voters.