By Anne Blythe Key takeaways: People who pay close attention to the machinations of state budget-making these days in North Carolina know that you can’t just look at the bottom line to understand how lawmakers’ spending choices will shape communities, families and the health care they’ll have access to. You have to become adept at […]

The post Oral health advocates try to unravel mystery of two NC budget paragraphs appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Skye Crawford Ben Ingraham wanted to be a doctor. He planned to attend medical school after serving as a U.S. Navy corpsman, but his time in the military was unexpectedly cut short. A traumatic brain injury and a leg injury forced him to medically retire. While in therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and other […]

The post Psychedelic-assisted therapy research gains traction with NC lawmakers, academics appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Jennifer Fernandez Key takeaways: Before getting therapy, Abril Chavez Diaz’s 5-year-old autistic son, Angel, would have meltdowns that lasted for an hour, she said. He has made a lot of progress since he’s started with applied behavior analysis therapy, she told supporters and lawmakers at a June 19 event at the facility of ABA […]

The post NC families fear losing access to autism therapy as new rules take effect appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Will Atwater Key Takeaways: Across North Carolina, the debate over AI data centers is intensifying as local residents, county officials and state lawmakers clash over whether to block or accept new projects — and who should bear the risks and benefits. That tension was on full display at a recent Edgecombe County commissioners meeting. […]

The post AI data center boom meets rural reality in Edgecombe County appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

Key Takeaways  By Jaymie Baxley  During the prayer that opened last week’s meeting of the Martin County Board of Commissioners, chairman Joe Ayers thanked God for guiding local leaders “through the process of trying to reopen health care” in the community.  His gratitude stemmed from the state budget signed into law on July 7 by […]

The post State budget advances plan to reopen Martin County hospital appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Lucas Tomae Carolina Public Press A former state health director, a family physician and a coalition of healthcare organizations are working to bring perinatal care closer to home for expectant and new mothers across the state. With $2.8 million from the Charlotte-based Leon Levine Foundation, the group seeks to bring prenatal and postpartum care to […]

The post Bringing relief to NC maternity deserts appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Noam N. Levey KFF Health News WINSTON-SALEM — Some issues, like immigration or student loans, are too divisive to unite Trinity Moravian Church. “We’ve got quite a spread of political beliefs,” said the Rev. John Jackman, who leads this 114-year-old red-brick church near Winston-Salem’s old textile mills. Conservative Republicans sit with liberal Democrats. Supporters […]

The post These church members disagree on politics. Together they’re wiping out medical debt. appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Rose Hoban Key Takeaways: There’s a fundamental principle in the field of economics: “incentives matter.”  The premise is that if the right kinds of financial carrots are put in place, rational people will weigh costs and benefits and adjust their behavior, especially if it’s in their self-interest to do so. That’s the conclusion Tom […]

The post What’s coming for state employees’ insurance in the coming year? Here are the details. appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Ashley Fredde Scotland County Manager April Snead spent this year’s budget season outlining the kinds of tradeoffs that local governments face every spring: which capital projects can move forward, which can wait and how to stretch taxpayer dollars.  This year, another unexpected expense landed on the ledger. Beginning Oct. 1, North Carolina counties will […]

The post ‘We have to juggle other things’: NC counties will have to absorb new SNAP costs without state funding appeared first on North Carolina Health News.

By Rose Hoban Key takeaways: Two decades ago, lobbyist Julia Adams started out at the North Carolina General Assembly as an advocate for people with disabilities.  Adams, herself, alternates between using a wheelchair and crutches to get to lawmakers’ offices and committee meetings. In those days, it was a real challenge in the legislative building, […]

The post From the legislature to sports arenas to websites, NC weighs accessibility upgrades appeared first on North Carolina Health News.