One of the most contentious issues at debate among state government officials is that of proposed changes to North Carolina’s State Health Plan (SHP) by Treasurer Dale Folwell.  The proposed plan would cut more than $300 million in annual spending from the SHP which covers more than 700,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and their families.  Under the new system, which would go into effect January 1, 2020, the SHP would reimburse healthcare providers a fixed percentage more than what they are paid by Medicare.  Folwell argues his plan will reduce the high costs for services and lack of transparency from the hospital systems within the state.  Hospitals, on the other hand, say the plan will result in a loss of approximately $400 million for their respective health systems.  After months of back and forth in the media, both sides had the chance make their best case before a joint meeting of House and Senate health policy members on Tuesday.  Greatest takeaway…the Treasurer is moving full steam ahead with his plan and the only thing that will stop him is legislative intervention.  https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2019/02/20/on-state-health-plan-changes-folwell-hits-gas-while-lawmakers-threaten-to-tap-brakes/

Under SB 86, small businesses would get additional flexibility to join together for better employee health insurance rates.  The legislation would loosen the rules governing what are known as Association Health Plans, where trade groups or other business associations can develop employee insurance plans for their member businesses with less than 50 employees. Bill sponsor, Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), said in a press conference earlier this week, that small businesses have been failed by the current insurance market.  But, she added, that those with few employees, as well as sole proprietorships, could benefit from cheaper insurance rates under an Association Health Plan.

There was a very dramatic end to the hearings into the only undecided US House race in the country, NC Congressional District 9.  After 4 days of hearings, the State Board of Elections ordered a new election to be held which will include both a primary and general election.  https://www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696561080/email-shows-n-c-gop-candidate-sought-out-operative-accused-of-illegal-ballot-sch