SB 464 creates a new team-based care coordination service for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders, including screening, medication treatment, recovery support, and case management. It also changes Medicaid policy to suspend coverage during incarceration (rather than terminate it), aligning with federal law to maintain access to care upon release. The bill requires the state health department to develop this service, report costs and implementation plans by October 2025, and launch a statewide education campaign for providers. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees with substance use disorders and incarcerated individuals in North Carolina.
SB 522, the "Thrive at Midlife Act," requires all health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover specific healthcare services for women aged 40-65, including menopause care, bone density screenings, heart disease prevention, diabetes management, cancer screenings, mental health support, and telehealth. It also expands Medicaid coverage for these services and allocates $10 million annually (2025-2027) to fund grants for community health centers serving uninsured midlife women, prioritizing rural and underserved areas. The bill creates tax credits for individuals and businesses covering qualified midlife healthcare expenses like prescription medications, screenings, and mental health services. These provisions aim to improve access to preventive and specialized care for midlife women while requiring insurers to limit copays and deductibles for covered services to federal preventive care standards.
SB 553, titled "Save More Tatas Act," requires health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover diagnostic breast cancer imaging (such as ultrasounds and MRIs) with the same cost-sharing (like copays and deductibles) as routine mammograms, directly affecting women needing these services. It updates mammogram coverage rules to include annual screenings for high-risk individuals (e.g., those with a family history of breast cancer or dense breast tissue) and mandates that facilities meet accreditation standards. The bill also appropriates $3.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support mammography services in rural areas and for the State Health Plan. This legislation aims to improve access to breast cancer diagnostic care without increasing patient out-of-pocket costs.
SB 536, the Birth Freedom Act, requires all health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover maternity care at home or birthing centers on the same terms as hospital births. It mandates that Medicaid beneficiaries also receive full coverage for these options starting July 2025, with providers reimbursed at 90% of standard hospital rates for similar care. The bill allocates $150,000 to expand access to birthing center care under the State Health Plan for public employees, including potential subsidies for beneficiaries. These changes directly affect health insurers, Medicaid, birthing centers, and individuals seeking non-hospital maternity options.
SB 616 creates two pilot programs to provide alternatives to state psychiatric hospitals for individuals needing capacity restoration. The Community-Based Capacity Restoration Program (CBCRP) contracts with local community or regional programs, while the Detention Center Capacity Restoration Program (DCCRP) partners with county detention centers (with sheriff consent). Courts can order patients to participate in these programs instead of state hospitals, aligning with nearby psychiatric facilities. The bill directly affects patients, courts, and local health providers by expanding community-based care options. It does not change existing laws but establishes new contracting mechanisms for mental health services.
SB 523 establishes a pilot voucher program to expand mental health access for low-income North Carolinians. It allocates $25 million (from state, general, and federal funds) to provide up to 10 free annual therapy visits per year to residents earning under 250% of the federal poverty level, with priority for veterans, uninsured individuals, young adults (18-26), teachers, and law enforcement. The program will operate in five selected counties starting July 2025, covering therapy, psychiatric care, and telehealth services through certified providers. An independent commission will evaluate outcomes - including patient satisfaction and reduced hospitalizations - and recommend statewide expansion if the pilot proves effective within five years.
SB 586, "Allergy Safe NC," requires child care centers in North Carolina to implement specific safety protocols for children with food allergies. It mandates that caregivers receive training on administering allergy emergency medication (epinephrine), require immediate contact with emergency services after such medication is used, notify parents about allergic reactions and their causes, and provide written food allergy policies to parents. These requirements apply to all child care facilities licensed under state law, directly affecting centers that care for children with known food allergies. The bill aims to standardize emergency response and prevention measures to protect children’s health during care.
SB 532, the "Preserving Competition in Healthcare Act," requires hospitals in North Carolina to notify state auditors, the attorney general, and the state treasurer before selling or merging more than half their assets (valued at $5 million or more). This applies to hospital entities and their potential buyers, such as larger healthcare systems, aiming to prevent anti-competitive consolidation. The state agencies must review these transactions within 60 days (extendable by 30 days) to decide whether to approve them or object. Routine transactions not affecting competition can be exempted through a written waiver from the three state officials.
SB 537 defines the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina, specifically for nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). The bill provides statutory definitions for each role, detailing permitted activities like diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, ordering diagnostic tests, and managing patient care within their specialized focus areas. By codifying these definitions in state law, the bill removes longstanding ambiguity about APRN practice that has persisted for decades, as noted by North Carolina courts and the executive branch. This change directly affects over 20,000 APRNs in the state by legally clarifying their scope of practice.
SB 625 creates two statewide awareness initiatives: one by the Department of Justice (Section 1) to educate North Carolinians about consumer finance risks like identity theft and fraud, and another by the Department of Health and Human Services (Section 2) to address health and civil rights topics including reproductive, LGBTQIA+, gender, and racial health issues. Both initiatives require developing public websites, local community toolkits, and state-coordinated outreach by July 2025, with reports due in September 2026. The bill prohibits using state funds for advocacy or lobbying on new laws, restricting the initiatives to explaining existing resources and laws. These programs directly affect residents through public education and local communities through customizable toolkits for community-led campaigns.
