North Carolina

Medicaid expansion could mean healthcare changes for North Carolina

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2022

Medicaid expansion could mean healthcare changes for North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – After referencing their years of opposition to the concept, main Republicans within the state Senate made the case on Wednesday for why North Carolina ought to develop Medicaid protection to greater than half 1,000,000 folks.

It’s a transfer Democrats have known as on them to take for a decade. The invoice would additionally make a wide range of different reforms which the Republicans stated are wanted to handle considerations with entry to healthcare.

“If there’s an individual within the state of North Carolina that has spoken out towards Medicaid growth greater than I’ve, I’d like to fulfill that individual. Actually, I’d like to speak to that individual about why my view has modified,” stated Republican Senate chief Phil Berger. “That is the proper factor for us to do.”

Republicans have been at odds with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper over this situation your entire time he’s been in workplace, with Medicaid growth being one of many key causes Cooper refused to signal any finances into legislation throughout his first time period.

North Carolina is considered one of 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid for the reason that passage of the Inexpensive Care Act.

“Governor Cooper is inspired to see progress on getting extra folks lined with well being care in North Carolina and can rigorously evaluation this laws,” stated Jordan Monaghan, a spokesperson for Cooper.

It’s estimated that about 600,000 low-income folks would qualify for protection underneath Medicaid if the invoice passes.

The federal authorities pays 90 p.c of the associated fee for states to develop Medicaid. Beneath the American Rescue Plan, which Democrats in Congress handed final 12 months, they included a provision that quickly will increase the federal share to 95 p.c in an effort to entice leaders of non-expansion states like North Carolina to approve Medicaid growth.

Republicans be aware that the state would obtain about $1.5 billion over two years for increasing Medicaid.

Sen. Berger had been involved about whether or not the federal authorities would proceed to pay its share. Berger says he’s now satisfied that received’t be a problem.

He highlighted three causes as to why he thinks the state ought to take this step.

“We’d like protection in North Carolina for the working poor. Second, there isn’t a fiscal threat to the state finances shifting ahead with this proposal. And, lastly, our Medicaid program over the previous years has been reformed and reworked,” he stated.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), one other long-time critic of Medicaid growth, known as the transfer a “rescue plan for hospitals.”

“We’re not more likely to ever get a greater deal than we’re being supplied now,” she stated.

Many Republicans within the Home stay proof against the concept. Home Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has not proven help for bringing the measure up for a vote throughout the present legislative session.

Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Moore, stated, “We’ve got been clear with the Governor and our Senate counterparts that Medicaid growth will solely transfer ahead within the Home if there are adequate votes for a invoice. A lot of our members are involved a couple of huge growth of an entitlement program throughout report inflation and financial uncertainty. Attaching controversial, unrelated matters to growth doesn’t assist the invoice’s prospects for this brief session.”

When requested concerning the prospect of the Home passing the invoice, Berger stated, “What I’d prefer to see us do is cross this by way of the Senate, get it over to the Home and proceed the method of teaching our colleagues.”

Senate Republicans are also together with a piece requirement with sure exceptions.

The Biden administration opposes Medicaid work necessities and has been withdrawing approvals that the Trump administration had granted to states.

“We’ll fear about getting the invoice handed after which we’ll take care of whether or not or not that’s one thing we will persuade the Biden administration or persuade the courts is the proper factor to do,” Berger stated.

Republicans even have included a wide range of different modifications coping with entry to healthcare within the invoice that goes past Medicaid growth. These embody provisions to handle shock medical billing and transparency, giving nurses higher means to observe outdoors the supervision of a doctor (often known as the SAVE Act) and certificates of want legislation reforms and telehealth laws.

Chip Baggett, CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society, which represents physicians, stated his group helps increasing Medicaid however raised considerations concerning the SAVE Act provisions being included.

“The North Carolina Medical Society continues to carry important reservations about coaching,” he stated. “We expect the inclusion of this can be a important hurt to this invoice and doubtlessly to the state of North Carolina.”

Jordan Roberts, director of presidency affairs with the conservative John Locke Basis, stated his group nonetheless opposes Medicaid growth however helps the opposite facets of the invoice.

“The state accepting a ten p.c share threatens the finances stability that you just all have accomplished such job on holding our finances and spending in test,” he instructed lawmakers. “If growth occurs, there may very well be upwards of three.3 million folks on Medicaid. That’s one out of each three folks within the state. We don’t assume that’s a sustainable program.”

Source link

North Carolina

North Carolina man charged with 9 felonies after shooting at tree crew

Published

3 hours ago

July 28, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina man charged with 9 felonies after shooting at tree crew

YANCEY COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — A tree-trimming crew in North Carolina had a harrowing encounter when a man with a criminal record opened fire on them.

This happened near Murphytown in the Green Mountain area of Yancey County. According to a statement from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Lucas Wilson Murphy shot three tree workers while they were clearing trees for a power company.

All three sustained serious injuries. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.

31-year-old Shelby Teague, whose husband Brandon Teague, 32, was part of the five-member crew, is still grappling with the incident. The couple have three children together.

“To have somebody crazy running through the woods is not a risk that you would think about,” she told ABC affiliate WLOS

She is thankful her husband wasn’t hurt, but three of his colleagues were.

“I’m trying not to be angry,” Shelby said. “We could have lost a bunch of good men.”

Authorities said during the exchange, an officer-involved shooting happened. Murphy was injured and taken to a hospital.

Murphy is charged with nine felony counts detailing that he assaulted five crew members with a long rifle with intent to kill.

Previous Criminal History

Shelby is angry Murphy was not in jail for previous charges.

Murphy’s misdemeanors, dating back to 2013, carry little to no jail time. This includes resisting public officers, driving while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon.

In 2021, the most serious case where he went to trial involved a charge that he shot and tried to kill his brother.

A law enforcement source who spoke anonymously told WLOS that Murphy’s brother refused to cooperate and minimized what happened.

Because of this, the jury could only find him guilty of assault.

Source link

North Carolina

Amid torrential rains and flooding, 21 North Carolina river sites fail fecal bacteria testing this week

Published

10 hours ago

July 28, 2024

Press Room

Amid torrential rains and flooding, 21 North Carolina river sites fail fecal bacteria testing this week

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A group says more than 20 North Carolina river sites failed testing for fecal bacteria this week after several days of torrential rains and nearly a foot of rainfall in some spots.

Leading up to Friday, there were several days of flood warnings and nearly a foot of rain fell in some North Carolina areas — such as Sampson County with 11 inches. Other spots — such as Durham County — received more than 9 inches of rain.

Sound Rivers, a group that monitors more than 50 recreational sites along North Carolina rivers, says that heavy rain can lead to more pollution in rivers.

“Swim Guide results are in, and they definitely reflect the impact all this rain is having on our waterways,” the Sound Rivers group said on Friday.

Full rainfall totals for Central NC for a week ending Friday

Some flood warnings continued this weekend with one still active Saturday along the Tar River at Tarboro in Edgecombe County.

“Remember, more stormwater runoff means more nasty stuff gets washed into the water,” Sound Rivers wrote Friday after 21 North Carolina river sites failed their weekly testing.

In the previous Swim Guide report, just six sites failed.

In the Raleigh area, three sites along the Neuse River failed the week ending July 26, according to Sound Rivers.

Just east of Raleigh in Wake County, these canoe launch sites met water quality standards less than 60 percent of the time: Buffaloe Road, Milburnie Park and Poole Road.

Elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water can bring an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections for pets and humans, Sound Rivers says.

East of the Wake County area along the Neuse River, these seven sites also failed water quality testing:

Maple Cypress boat ramp in Grifton
Glenburnie Park
Town of Bridgton Park
Upper Broad Creek at Black Beard Sailing Club
Lawson Creek Park in the New Bern area
Slocum Creek boating access in Havelock
Pierce Creek at the Sea Harbor Yacht Club in Oriental

Closer to the North Carolina coast, 11 sites failed the testing along the Tar and Pamlico rivers:

Sunset Park on the Tar River in Rocky Mount
Tar River Reservoir in Rocky Mount
River Road boat ramp on the Tar River in Tarboro
Town Common on the Tar River in Greenville
Wildwood Park on the Tar River in Greenville
Port Terminal on the Tar River in Greenville
Yankee Hall Road boat ramp on the Tar River at Pactolus
Mason’s Landing on the Pamlico River in Washington
Havens Gardens on the Pamlico River in Washington
Dinah’s Landing just off the Pamlico River at Goose Creek State Park
Cotton Patch Landing on Blounts Creek just off the Pamlico River

Sound Rivers issues a report on various recreational areas of rivers in North Carolina after testing dozens of recreational sites each week throughout the summer.

The testing by the group includes enterococci bacteria in salt water.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.

Source link

North Carolina

24-year-old Chicago man killed in head-on crash in North Carolina, police say

Published

18 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

24-year-old Chicago man killed in head-on crash in North Carolina, police say

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A man from Chicago is dead and another person was injured after a head-on crash Saturday in North Carolina.

According to police in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a 2005 Dodge Durango driven by 35-year-old man from Fayetteville was making a left turn at a green light when it was hit head-on by a 2022 Honda Accord driven by 24-year-old Zayshawn L. Robinson of Chicago, Illinois.

A preliminary investigation found that Robinson was speeding and failed to stop at a red light, which resulted in the crash.

Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 35-year-old man was taken to a local hospital for what police described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Department in North Carolina.

No further information was immediately available.

Source link