VOLUME 9 ISSUE 25 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
NSJONLINE.COM
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BRIEF this week
Cooper: All qualifying hospitals joining debt-reduction effort Raleigh All qualifying North Carolina hospitals have agreed to participate in a first-ofits-kind initiative that will give them higher Medicaid payments if medical debt of low- and middle-income patients they hold is relieved and they carry out ways for future patients to avoid liabilities, Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Monday. Cooper and state Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley unveiled six weeks ago a proposal submitted to federal Medicaid regulators that they said could help about 2 million people in the state get rid of $4 billion in debt held by hospitals, which usually only can recoup a small portion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services signed off last month on the plan details, which build on a Medicaid reimbursement program started recently for 99 acutecare, rural or universityconnected hospitals. The hospitals were asked to make their participation decisions known by late last week.
MICHAEL CONROY / AP PHOTO
Stay gold Stephen Curry sank four consecutive 3-pointers down the stretch to lead the U.S. to its fifth consecutive gold in Olympics men’s basketball. The former Davidson star from Charlotte had 24 points — all on 3s — to beat France on its home court Saturday in Paris.
Treasurer warns of State Health Plan insolvency
Burglary reported at Trump campaign office in Virginia Ashburn, Va. A burglary was reported over the weekend at a Virginia campaign office for former President Donald Trump, and authorities are investigating whether anything was stolen. It happened Sunday at an office in Ashburn being leased by the Trump for President 2024 campaign that also serves as the headquarters of the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee, according to a news release from Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office was contacted around 9 p.m. Sunday. The office said it has surveillance video that shows someone wearing dark clothing with a dark cap and carrying a backpack. An investigation continues. The video shows a person breaking in and going through the office, sheriff’s office spokesperson Thomas A. Julia said in an email Tuesday. Officials expect to issue an update once more is known, Julia said. The Trump campaign and 10th District Republican Committee did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
Dale Folwell pointed to COVID-19 expense reimbursements and a lack of funding from the General Assembly
UNC interim chancellor Roberts approved for permanent job The Duke grad succeeds Kevin Guskiewicz to become the 13th person to hold the position The Associated Press RALEIGH — After several months of speculation over who would fill the chancellorship at North Carolina’s flagship university, interim leader Lee Roberts has been picked to be the 13th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Roberts was approved Friday by the University of North Car-
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
olina Board of Governors. The announcement means the end of yet another highly anticipated chancellor search in the state’s public university system, which has filled four other vacancies in the past year. UNC System President Peter Hans, who was charged with nominating a chancellor pick for the board to vote on, said UNC needs a “set of fresh eyes” to chart the university’s path forward during a turbulent time for higher education. He called Roberts “the right leader for this moment in Carolina’s history.” “I have a deep respect for
RALEIGH — North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell has raised alarm bells about fiscal solvency issues with the State Health Plan. During his monthly call with reporters, Folwell warned that the North Carolina State Health Plan (SHP) is on track to become insolvent, projecting that it will “go below our statutory minimums in 2025.” Folwell emphasized the precarious position of the plan, stating, “We’re one pandemic away from not being able to pay our bills.” The root of the problem, according to Folwell, lies in insufficient funding from the legislature coupled with rapidly rising health care costs and interest rates. Folwell said “prescription and health costs are going up at least twice a higher rate than the amount of funding that the General Assembly has chosen to give us.” The treasurer also cited from the legislature. “It’s my understanding that we have received less than half of the $500 million of COVID-related expenses. So we’re looking for another $250 million,” said Folwell.
See ROBERTS, page A3
See FOLWELL, page A2
“We’re one pandemic away from not being able to pay our bills.” N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell
Bushes, Obamas named honorary co-chairs for America250 “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome President George W. Bush, Mrs. Laura Bush, President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama to the America250 family.” Rosie Rios, America250 chair
North Carolina will have three events this month By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and their wives, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, have been named “honorary national co-chairs” for the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, according to America250, a nonpartisan nonprofit working on the anniversary alongside the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome President George W. Bush, Mrs. Laura Bush, President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama
to the America250 family,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios in a press release. “As Presidents and First Ladies of the United States, their stories are foundational to the American story. We hope that their unique voices will help encourage everyone to participate in this pivotal commemoration.” Established by Congress in 2016, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission is tasked with the planning of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Semiquincentennial Commission is made up of 16 private citizens, four U.S. representatives, four senators and 12 ex-officio members from the three branches of the federal government and its independent agencies.
The appointees were selected by the leadership of both parties in the U.S. House and Senate. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and U.S. Reps. Don Davis (D-NC-01), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Richard Hudson (R-NC-09) and David Rouzer (R-NC-07) are part of the Congressional America250 Caucus. In addition to the national commission, the North Carolina General Assembly See AMERICA250, page A2
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