WNC Health Policy Updates

November 10, 2025

• Governor Josh Stein urged NC lawmakers to convene a special session to address shortfalls in funding for Medicaid. The session is scheduled for November 17th.

•  State Treasurer Brad Briner and the State Employees Association of NC (SEANC) filed court documents in support of a lawsuit challenging the state’s certificate-of-need health care restrictions. A court hearing is scheduled for November 18th.

• The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that partial payments were uploaded onto EBT cards for SNAP beneficiaries on Friday, November 7th. 

• The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina announced the Carolina HealthWorks program, a new health insurance plan for small businesses (2-50 employees) who are members of the Chamber or local chambers.

November 3, 2025 - No Update

October 27, 2025

• North Carolina state legislators remain stalled in negotiations on Medicaid. The Charlotte News & Observer reports that lawmakers are unlikely to reach an agreement on Medicaid funding in October. By the time they convene in November, there will be more information about the impact of the October 1st cuts to reimbursement rates.

• The NC Legislature voted along party lines to approve a new congressional map for NC, which would add one new congressional district. The new district increases the number of districts in which Republicans have an advantage from 10 to 11, out of 14 congressional seats in NC. 

• The full NC Legislature re-convenes on November 17th.

October 20, 2025

• The North Carolina State Health Plan's exclusion of coverage for transition-related treatments typically sought by transgender patients was reinstated last Wednesday, after a 4th circuit court vacated a trial judge’s 2022 decision to block the exclusion (Kadel v. Folwell).

• Though there was concern about discontinuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the NC Department of Health and Human Services assured the public that they will continue to be paid in October. The DHHS encourages households to continue to apply.  

• Legislators return to session this week, October 20, 2025. Major issues are the state budget and Medicaid funding. The chambers are in disagreement about the timeline for tax cuts and the establishment of a new children’s hospital. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, North Carolina is one of two states that has not enacted a budget for the current fiscal year.

October 13, 2025

This past week included:

• Governor Stein and the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced benefits to over 2.5 million North Carolinians after 15 months of a medical debt elimination effort, which came out of the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program, which was approved by state legislators in 2023.

• Governor Stein proclaimed October 12-17 Health Care Security and Safety Week.

• The NC Department of Health and Human Services is inviting input on its Rural Health Transformation Plan application to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services . Western North Carolina organizations and individuals may submit input here by October 15th. For reference, the WNC Health Network shared their comments.

• Legislators return to session on October 20, 2025.

October 6, 2025

This past week included:

• The NC Legislature adjourned until late October without the House and Senate agreeing on a Medicaid Rebase bill.  The two chambers passed their own budget bills but did not agree on funding for a UNC Duke Children’s Hospital.

• Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts went into effect:  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates effective October 1, 2025.

• Governor Stein signed HB 307 (“Iryna’s Law”) into law, recognizing additional measures to review cases and concerns over some aspects of the bill, including the last-minute addition of firing squads as a form of execution. He encourages a comprehensive public safety package.

• The NC Department of Health and Human Services is invitinginput on its Rural Health Transformation Plan application to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services . Western North Carolina organizations and individuals may submit input here by October 15th. For reference, the WNC Health Network shared their comments.

September 29, 2025

Selected WNC-Relevant State Health Policy Updates:

• HB 307 (“Iryna’s Law”) was passed by the NC Legislature and went to the Governor on Tuesday 9/23/25. According to a Carolina Journal article, the bill “tightens pretrial conditions for the release of violent offenders, eliminates cashless bail, establishes a new protocol for ordering mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system, and sets a firmer timeline for appeal in death penalty cases.” Critics pointed out that there are no additional funds allocated for mental health evaluations or care.

• Governor Josh Stein announced that starting this week, the state is lowering reimbursement rates to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers, according to an AP News article.

• The NC Department of Health and Human Services is inviting input on its Rural Health Transformation Plan application to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services . Western North Carolina organizations and individuals may submit input here by October 15th. For reference, the WNC Health Network shared their comments.