UNC Asheville Hosts
2026 WNC LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT
Event Information
March 13, 2026 | UNC Asheville - Blue Ridge Suites
Highsmith Student Union, 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
The Changing Landscape of Health in Western North Carolina
The WNC Legislative Summit is hosted annually by the WNC Health Policy Initiative. These events bring together members of the NC General Assembly, individuals working in policy development and advocacy, regional health and healthcare leaders, and community service organizations to learn about key health policy priorities for Western North Carolinians, make connections, and share their own concerns and questions about these issues.
About This Event
The healthcare landscape in Western North Carolina is undergoing significant changes driven by federal policy shifts, state legislative developments, evolving health industry trends and regional impacts from Hurricane Helene and other circumstances. These events present unique challenges to supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities, but also contain within them the seeds of opportunity to rethink our existing systems and structures. Understanding these changes – as well as the tools, connections, and opportunities we can leverage to address them – is essential in developing effective health policy and strategies to enhance health equity and improve overall health outcomes among Western North Carolinians.
Join us this March as we explore the complex and changing landscape of health and healthcare in WNC, what it means for the future of our region, and how we can work together to rebuild a stronger, healthier and more resilient WNC for everyone.
The WNC Health Policy Initiative is co-hosted by the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville and the Mountain Area Health Education Center and is supported by the Dogwood Health Trust
Partner and Sponsor Acknowledgement
The WNC HPI would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors of the Legislative Summit event.
Your generosity, trust, and belief in our mission has helped make this event truly special. Thank you for standing with us and making a real difference.
Finally, we would also like to acknowledge all the regional and statewide partners and contributors who make this work possible. These include representatives from legislative and other governmental offices and agencies, healthcare organizations and providers, community-based nonprofits, public and community health professionals, academic institutions, professional associations, and many, many other dedicated community members who show up to advance the health and wellbeing of all Western North Carolinians. Your support and leadership are deeply appreciated.
Opening Speakers
-
Soni Pitts
Project Manager
WNC Health Policy Initiative -
Kimberly van Noort, PhD
Chancellor
UNC Asheville -
Susan Mims, MD, MPH
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Dogwood Health Trust -
William Hathaway, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Mountain Area Health Education Center -
Rachel Hunt, JD
Lieutenant Governor
North Carolina
Laurie Stradley, DrPH
Executive Director, Impact Health
Keynote Address
Transforming for Resilience:
How Western North Carolina Is Reimagining Rural Health
Western North Carolina is a hub of innovation and collaboration in rural health care. Even amid ongoing disaster-related, geographic, and socioeconomic challenges, the region continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and a deep-rooted commitment to community. In her keynote presentation, Laurie will highlight some of the most promising approaches to building a coordinated, whole-person, whole-health care system in Western North Carolina, and examine the policies and practices that make this work possible.
Health Policy Panel
-
Sen. Ralph Hise
Moderator
47th District
NC General Assembly -
Sen. Jim Burgin
12th District
NC General Assembly -
Rep. Timothy Reeder
9th District
NC General Assembly -
Katherine Martin
Vice President of Health Affairs
UNC System -
Melanie Bush
Interim Deputy Secretary
NC Department of Health and Human Services -
Josh Dobson
President and CEO
North Carolina Healthcare Association
Event Handouts and Other Resources
-
Regional Strategies and Policy Levers for Workforce Development
Workforce Strategies 1-pager
-
Regional Strategies and Policy Levers for Workforce Development
Appendix: Data Sources and References
-
Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment Barriers, and Access to Care in Western North Carolina
Access to Health Care 1-pager
-
Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment Barriers and Access to Care in Western NC
Appendix 1: Data Sources and References
-
Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment Barriers and Access to Care in Western NC
Appendix 2: Lessons Learned from the Georgia Pathways to Coverage Program
-
Investment in Proven Strategies is Critical for NC Rural Health Transformation Program
Health Related Social Needs 1-pager
-
Investment in Proven Strategies is Critical for NC Rural Health Transformation Program
Appendix 1: Works Cited
-
Investment in Proven Strategies is Critical for NC Rural Health Transformation Program
Appendix 2: Works Consulted
-
WNC & Health Policy Scan of NCGA 2025-2026 Legislation Session Spreadsheet
Focused policy scan of the 2025-2026 NC General Assembly legislative session. Produced by Albert Chow (MPH, CHES) for the WNC HPI and Health Policy Research Consortium.
-
WNC & Health Policy Scan of NCGA 2025-2026 Legislation Session Narrative Summary
Narrative research summary. Produced by Albert Chow (MPH, CHES) for the WNC HPI and Health Policy Research Consortium.
-
NC Public Health Relationship-Building & Legislative Engagement Activity Toolkit
Resource developed by the NC Institute for Public Health to support public health professionals in building confident, compliant, and lasting relationships with policymakers through education and relationship-building.
-
Health Policy Panel transcript
Transcript taken from a recording of the Health Policy Panel discussion.
-
Keynote Address Transcript
Transcript of the keynote address, “Transforming for Resilience: How Western North Carolina Is Reimagining Rural Health,” delivered by Laurie Stradley, Dr.Ph (CEO of Impact Health)
-
Illustrated Visual Notes
Created by Dr. Ameena Batada for the WNC Health Policy Initiative and the NC Center for Health and Wellness