North Carolina
Providers key in NC’s push to launch delayed Medicaid plans for complex populations
After multiple delays, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says it’s “on track” to implement specialized Medicaid plans this summer that are designed for beneficiaries with complex needs.
Now scheduled to launch on July 1, the so-called “tailored plans” are expected to cover about 150,000 existing Medicaid participants who require more extensive care and support than typical enrollees. Many people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, complex psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders will be moved to the plans, according to DHHS.
Unlike standard Medicaid plans, the tailored plans will be administered by a network of four state-funded behavioral health organizations, or LME-MCOs. For the past decade, these regional managed care organizations have been providing access to behavioral health services for people with complex needs across the state, sometimes operating under a cloud of controversy.
Now, they have been tasked with connecting tailored plan participants to physical and mental health care providers.
The tailored plans were initially scheduled to go live in December 2022, but DHHS delayed the launch to give the LME-MCOs more time to prepare. Additional delays were announced last year, with the department citing a lack of buy-in among some providers.
Jay Ludlam, the state’s deputy secretary for Medicaid, gave lawmakers an update on the plans’ status as part of Tuesday’s meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid. The LME-MCOs, he said, have “made significant progress in closing any remaining gaps in their networks.”
Push for more providers
Ludlam told the committee that DHHS established an internal “disruption standard” after the most recent delay. The department’s goal was to ensure that at least 80 % of tailored plan participants would “not be disrupted in their current relationships” with providers.
“Our focus has been on those families that […] have worked with certain care teams for years, often since birth, to provide care to their loved ones,” Ludlam said. “We also saw pressures from others who wanted, as much as possible, to ensure that we as a department recognize that it’s not only just the provision of services, [but] also who’s providing those services … that is important to those families.”
He said that federal regulators were OK with the 80% goal last spring, but they want at least 90% of the state’s tailored plan participants to have the option of staying with their current provider in order for the plans to launch this July.
That rankled committee member Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Spruce Pine), even though he’s long been critical of the LME-MCOs.
Hise said he was concerned that the higher standard required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would force the LME-MCOs to “sign contracts that might not be in the best interest of their system.” Some providers, he said, were already dissatisfied with the reimbursement rates that the LME-MCOs were offering for services.
“Then CMS kind of steps in and says, ‘First of all, you have to have 80 [%] and now you have to have 90 [%],’ and suddenly these contracts are getting signed,” Hise said. “I mean, somebody stuck their nose in a contract dispute, told them who they had to sign with and, in effect, what rates they had to sign for.”
Ludlam responded by pointing out that the issues with provider contracting “are sometimes not about money.”
“They’re about how many lives the tailored plans were managing, and that it wasn’t sufficient for the systems to basically bother to pick up the pen and sign those contracts,” he said. “By focusing on what the members need, and of course monitoring the potential impact on rates, I do believe that we will not only protect people through this process, but that we will be able to get to go live on July 1.”
One factor in creating a Medicaid plan is the quest for “network adequacy” — the ability for a patient to find the care they want and need close to home. This means the plans’ managers have to contract with hundreds, sometimes thousands of health care providers throughout a region.
Ludlam noted that two of the state’s LME-MCOs recently contracted with a “large system” to accept tailored plans. Ludlam declined to share the system’s name, but Charlotte-based Atrium Health had previously been identified as a significant holdout in the state’s push to enlist providers. A spokesperson for Atrium did not immediately respond to email from NC Health News on Wednesday.
Ludlam said DHHS has not “re-measured” the potential disruption of existing patient-provider relationships since the unnamed system came aboard.
“If I were to highlight any potential risk to go live, it is whether or not the tailored plans will be able to close out some of those other contracts that are going to be necessary to minimize the disruption for consumers and members,” Ludlam said.
He added that DHHS will make a “go or no-go decision” in April on the July 1 rollout date if the LME-MCOs have not contracted enough providers to satisfy CMS’ requirement by then.
“If we really saw a high risk of potential member harm for individuals, we would do what is necessary to protect people,” Ludlam said of the possibility of another delay. “We would want to work very closely with CMS to make sure that if they’re declaring that we’re unable to go live, that they’re doing it based on the best available data and for all the right reasons.”
Rollout riding on LME-MCOs
Ludlam said the burden of contracting enough providers to maintain continuity of care for tailored plan patients will largely fall on the LME-MCOs. They know the “individuals who might be at risk” and “where they are,” he said.
“The work is going to be on them,” he said. “I think generally they are very close to getting contracts with these care teams, and we will continue to monitor it over the next couple of months.”
The implementation of tailored plans will follow a consolidation that left the state with four LME-MCOs instead of its previous six. Sec. Kody Kinsley, head of DHHS, ordered the consolidation in November to streamline the plans’ rollout.
Trillium Health Resources took control of Eastpointe Human Services under the consolidation, creating a single organization to serve 46 counties across eastern North Carolina. Another LME-MCO, the Sandhills Center, was dissolved in connection with the consolidation.
The remaining organizations include Vaya Health, which serves most of the western part of the state, and Alliance Health and Partners Health Management, which together cover a mosaic of counties in central North Carolina.
Ludlam said his “Day One goals” for tailored plans are to “make sure that members have cards in hand, that the health plans have sufficient networks, that providers can get paid and that members can have access to those health plans in order to understand their benefit, understand who they’ve been assigned to and make sure that they can get care.”
This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
North Carolina
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
The 2026 North Carolina high school softball state playoff brackets are out, and High School On SI has all eight brackets with matchups and schedules for every team.
The first round begins on May 5, and the playoffs will culminate with the NCHSAA state championships being played May 27-30 at Duke University in Durham.
2026 North Carolina High School Baseball State Tournament Schedule
May 5: First Round
May 8: Second Round
May 12: Third Round
May 15: Fourth Round
May 19-23: Regionals
May 27-30: State Championships
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view full bracket details)
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 5 Vance Charter
No. 3 East Columbus vs. No. 2 Northside – Pinetown
No. 1 Robbinsville vs. No. 5 Falls Lake Academy
No. 6 Bethany Community vs. No. 2 Oxford Preperatory
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 North Duplin vs. No. 8 Camden County
No. 5 Rosewood vs. No. 4 East Carteret
No. 3 Perquimans vs. No. 11 Pamlico County
No. 10 Franklin Academy vs. No. 2 Manteo
No. 1 South Stanly vs. No. 9 East Wilkes
No. 5 South Stokes vs. No. 4 Starmount
No. 3 Swain County vs. No. 6 Murphy
No. 7 Highland Tech vs. No. 2 Roxboro Community
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Midway vs. No. 9 Providence
No. 12 Wallace-Rose Hill vs. No. 4 Heide Trask
No. 3 Farmville Central vs. No. 11 Ayden – Grifton
No. 10 Northwood vs. No. 2 McMichael
No. 1 West Lincoln vs. No. 8 Union Academy
No. 5 Draughn vs No. 4 Pine Lake Preperatory
No. 3 West Davidson vs. No. 11 East Surry
No. 7 Walkertown vs. No. 2 West Wilkes
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Randleman vs. No. 9 Nash Central
No. 5 Bunn vs. No. 4 East Duplin
No. 3 Southwest Onslow vs. No. 6 Roanoke Rapids
No. 7 Ledford Senior vs. No. 2 Central Davidson
No. 1 West Stokes vs. No. 8 Forbush
No. 5 Pisgah vs. No. 4 West Stanly
No. 19 North Surry vs. No. 11 Foard
No. 10 Mount Pleasant vs. No, 2 Bunker Hill
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Southeast Alamance vs. No. 8 C.B. Aycock
No. 5 Seaforth vs. No. 4 Rockingham County
No. 3 Eastern Alamance vs. No. 6 West Carteret
No. 7 South Brunswick vs. No. 2 Southern Nash
No. 1 Enka vs. No. 9 Oak Grove
No. 5 Crest vs. No. 13 West Rowan
No. 3 North Davidson vs. No. 6 Franklin
No. 10 East Rowan vs. No. 2 North Lincoln
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Union Pines vs. No. 9 South Johnston
No. 5 South View vs. No. 4 Gray’s Creek
No. 3 J.H. Rose vs. No. 6 Harnett Central
No. 7 Triton vs. No. 2 West Brunswick
No. 1 Kings Mountain vs. No. 8 Charlotte Catholic
No. 5 Alexander vs. No. 13 T.C. Roberson
No. 3 Piedmont vs. No. 6 Central Cabarrus
No. 10 A.C. Reynolds vs. No. 2 South Caldwell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 D.H. Conley vs. No. 8 Wake Forest
No. 5 Purnell Sweet vs. No. 4 Cleveland
No. 3 Heritage vs. No. 6 Topsail
No. 7 South Central vs. No. 2 New Bern
No. 1 Weddington vs. No. 8 Mooresville
No. 5 A.L. Brown vs. No. 4 Hickory Ridge
No. 3 East Forsyth vs. No. 11 Porter Ridge
No. 7 Ronald Reagan vs. No. 2 South Iredell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Willow Spring vs. No. 4 Hoggard
No. 3 E.A. Laney vs. No. 2 Cornith Holders
No. 1 Providence vs. No. 4 Hough
No. 3 West Forsyth vs. No. 2 Apex Friendship
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North Carolina
Perspective | What North Carolina gets right about workforce: Progress beyond politics
Across the country, workforce development is often framed as a policy challenge. In North Carolina, we’ve come to understand it as something more fundamental: a shared responsibility between educators and employers that works best when it rises above politics. It is a nonpartisan priority with bipartisan support — and a clear focus on outcomes.
North Carolina’s approach to workforce and talent development offers a different model — one grounded in collaboration, consistency, data, and a relentless focus on student and employer needs.
Over the past several years, our state has aligned around an ambitious goal: ensuring that 2 million North Carolinians ages 25-44 hold a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. myFutureNC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, led by a bipartisan Board of Directors, that was created to champion this work.
This goal is not owned by a single administration or political party. It is the state’s attainment goal — codified in law with bipartisan support and signed by the governor — to ensure North Carolina remains economically competitive now and into the future. The work is guided by leaders across business, education, policymakers, and philanthropy.
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This kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident. It requires trust, discipline, and a willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term wins — placing the needs of students and employers above the silos that often define education and workforce systems.
North Carolina’s leaders don’t agree on everything, and unanimity is not what makes this work. There is broad agreement on a set of essential truths: Talent is the top driver of economic development. Education fuels economic prosperity, public safety, and healthier communities. Having a robust educational system and an educated population is one of our state’s greatest assets. Economic mobility matters. And preparing people for meaningful work benefits everyone.
This alignment is delivering results. North Carolina has been named the No. 1 state for business three out of the past four years and ranks No. 1 for workforce — reinforcing what’s possible when leaders stay focused on shared priorities.
This strong foundation has enabled progress in areas that often stall in partisan debate. Through strategic policy and philanthropic investments, the state has expanded pathways into high-demand careers, strengthened connections between education and industry, and increased access to work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
That same foundation is shaping how policy is developed in real time. The proposed Workforce Act of 2026 reflects North Carolina’s cross-sector approach — bringing together business and education leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists to strengthen pathways into high-demand careers and expand access to work-based learning. Rather than introducing a new direction, this Act builds on what is already working, demonstrating how alignment can translate into coordinated action.
The bipartisan-led Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships puts this approach into practice. Building on the state’s existing foundation, the council brings together leaders from industry, education, and government to strengthen coordination across the workforce system. Its value lies not in setting a new direction, but in reinforcing and accelerating a shared one.
This is what it looks like to build systems designed to last. Workforce development is not a one-year initiative or a single funding cycle — it is a long-term investment in people, communities, employers, and the educational infrastructure that supports them. North Carolina’s progress is rooted in structures that bring partners together consistently, align efforts across sectors, and create continuity beyond political cycles.
By embedding collaboration into how the work gets done — not just what gets prioritized — the state has created a model that can evolve over time while staying focused on its goals.
Work remains to be done. Gaps in attainment persist, and ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of the state will require continued focus and innovation. But North Carolina’s significant progress and continued success being No. 1 nationally in many related categories demonstrates what is possible when leaders choose partnership over partisanship.
At a time when it’s easy to focus on what divides us, North Carolina offers a reminder: Some of the most important work we do — preparing people for the future of work and ensuring employers have access to skilled talent — is our north star and unifying force.
And in our shared goal of 2 million by 2030, we are not just building a stronger workforce. We are building a stronger state — for today and for generations to come.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — (AP/WNCN) — The remains of a U.S. Army soldier with ties to North Carolina who went missing during military exercises in Morocco a week ago have been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. military said Sunday. Military teams are still searching for a second missing soldier.
The remains found are those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, who was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco while off duty.
Key, 27, from Richmond, Virginia, was a graduate of Methodist University in Fayetteville.
The two were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, annual multinational military exercises held in Morocco.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration.
“A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” U.S Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.
The two went missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain characterized by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, according to the Moroccan military.
Their disappearance triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. The operation deployed frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones.
Search efforts will continue for the missing second soldier, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly on the issue.
The official said a U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the multinational war games ended Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S Army Europe and Africa said.
He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.
Key is survived by his father, Kendrick Key Sr.; his mother, Jihan Key; his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill; and his brother-in-law, U.S. Army Spc. James Brown.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEWS
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The search-and-rescue operation, now in its ninth day, has covered more than 12,000 square kilometers of sea and littoral zone, currently adding around 3,000 square kilometers per day.
The soldiers had been taking part in African Lion 26, a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.
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