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Rep. Deb Butler discusses Medicaid expansion, the House budget, and sports wagering
State Representative Deb Butler of New Hanover County discusses Governor Cooper’s approval of legislation to expand the state’s Medicaid program and her hopes that her Republican colleagues won’t sabotage it by inserting poison pills into the state budget. Butler also weighs in on legislation that would bring 24/7 digital gambling to North Carolina.
NC Child director Erica Palmer Smith discusses Medicaid expansion, improving children’s well-being
NC Child executive director Erica Palmer Smith explains why the decision of Republican legislative leaders to finally embrace Medicaid expansion was the result of years of determined advocacy.
Dean Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of the Duke School of Nursing on NC’s shortage of primary care providers
North Carolina took a big and important step toward making Medicaid expansion a reality last week when Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill to make it the 40th state to take the plunge. As welcome as this news is, however, it’s important to point out that expansion will not be a magic overnight healthcare solution. […]
Weekend reads: Loosening state gun laws, diversity efforts targeted, and a new wave of book banning
Big changes start Monday: NC Policy Watch is becoming NC Newsline For nearly two decades, people who care about North Carolina’s most vulnerable, who relish understanding the people and politics that factor into the state’s policies, and who have strong opinions about what our state should look like in the 21st Century, have been loyal […]
Efforts underway to sharply reduce NC’s legal threshold for intoxicated driving.
“This is not to tell individuals they don’t have a right to drink alcohol.” Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain Co.) told reporters Thursday that House Bill 148 (Driving/Reduce Legal BAC Level) would lower the legal limit for driving from a blood alcohol content of .08 to .05 and was intended to prevent people from thinking they […]
‘This bill is your legacy’: A divided NC House votes big on sports gambling (w/video)
In a 66-45 vote, members of the North Carolina House approved legislation Tuesday to legalize sports wagering in North Carolina. House Bill 347 opens the door to electronic betting on college sports and professional sports with 10 to 12 licensed operators accepting bets. Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) the bill’s primary sponsor said the legislation has […]
Watch: Governor Roy Cooper sign Medicaid expansion bill (video)
Republican and Democratic leaders were all smiles Monday at Raleigh’s Executive Mansion for a signing ceremony of House Bill 76, Access to Healthcare Options. The legislation will expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of uninsured North Carolinians, once the state budget is finalized. “Medicaid expansion is a once-in-a-generation investment that will strengthen our mental health […]
North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections executive director Melissa Price Kromm
North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections executive director Melissa Price Kromm discusses the need to preserve and protect the institutions of our democracy and some recently introduced legislation at the General Assembly that would advance that cause.
Chapel Hill attorney and policy advisor Patrick Oglesby on medical marijuana policy
Chapel Hill attorney and policy advisor Patrick Oglesby about the ongoing movement to reform marijuana laws and why North Carolina should employ a model that benefits the people rather than large for-profit corporations
Weekend reads: A chilling effect on education, NC takes a bet on sports gambling, and how Medicaid expansion finally won approval
In this issue: 1. GOP bill to limit topics of discussion in public schools wins state House approvalParents, Democratic lawmakers decry censorship and “chilling effect on education” A controversial bill that would restrict how the state’s public school teachers discuss race, gender and sexuality was approved by the state House by a 68-49 party line […]
“A long, bumpy history”: North Carolina House gives final approval to Medicaid expansion. (w/video)
After more than a decade of contentious debates, it took the North Carolina House of Representatives less than two minutes on Thursday to pass Medicaid expansion. Rep. Donnie Lambeth (R-Forsyth) wasted little time in urging his colleagues to support the bill that will extend health insurance coverage to about 600,000 North Carolinians who currently fall […]