SB 737 requires North Carolina to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for licensed ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) to at least 95% of the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule each year. This directly affects ASCs that treat Medicaid patients by increasing their payments to better align with Medicare rates. The bill provides $6.9 million annually in state funds to match $12.6 million in federal funds for implementation, ensuring the rate adjustments are fully funded. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 759, the Minors Health Protection Act, amends North Carolina law to clarify when minors can consent to specific medical services without parental involvement and when parents can access their minor child's medical records. It allows minors to consent to treatment for venereal diseases, pregnancy, substance abuse, and emotional issues (Section 2(a)), but requires written parental consent for emergency-use vaccines not yet fully FDA-approved (Section 2(a1)). Parents generally have access to all medical records, except for records related to abuse investigations, court orders, or if the parent is under criminal investigation (Section 3(b)). The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 494 prohibits therapists from attempting to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It specifically protects minors and adults with disabilities from these practices, which major medical associations have deemed ineffective and harmful. The bill bases this prohibition on consensus from organizations like the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association, citing risks such as depression, self-hatred, and suicide. It aligns with professional standards that affirm LGBTQ+ identities rather than seeking to alter them.
HB 503, the "Don't Tread on Me Act," proposes new protections for North Carolinians by restricting government overreach in privacy, healthcare, education, and employment. It prohibits state agencies from conducting warrantless surveillance, demanding private medical or political information for services, denying reproductive care based on ideology, interfering with parental decisions without due process, or censoring fact-based education. The bill also bans discrimination in employment, housing, or public services based on private beliefs, medical history, or lawful conduct. Currently in early legislative stages (filed March 24, passed 1st reading March 26), it would take effect if enacted.
HB 513 appropriates $1 million annually from the General Fund to fund North Carolina's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through fiscal years 2025-2027. It allocates $855,000 yearly to create nine new full-time Regional Ombudsman positions in areas most needing support, as determined by the State Ombudsman, to help meet national staffing standards. The remaining funds cover operational costs like equipment, supplies, and transportation for existing program staff. This directly benefits long-term care residents by expanding access to ombudsman services that address facility concerns and advocate for their rights.
HB 502, the Gender-Affirming Rights Act, repeals North Carolina’s prohibition on gender transition procedures for minors and the use of state funds for such care. It establishes a new legal framework affirming that transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals have the right to make autonomous decisions about gender-affirming health care, including treatment for gender dysphoria. The bill mandates that licensed health care professionals complete cultural competency training on LGBTQ care, covering topics like using inclusive terminology, addressing health disparities, and maintaining confidentiality. This directly affects transgender and gender-diverse minors, their health care providers, and local governments, prohibiting additional restrictions beyond the act’s provisions. The law defines "gender-affirming care" and requires health care professionals to provide respectful, nondiscriminatory services aligned with clinical best practices.
HB 522 prohibits crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in North Carolina from falsely advertising that they provide abortion or emergency contraceptive services when they do not. It defines this as a deceptive practice, requiring CPCs to clearly disclose staff qualifications and service offerings (like abortion care) on-site or via corrective advertising. The bill establishes a complaint process for the Attorney General to enforce violations, with civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and mandates a state health department evaluation of CPCs’ impact on reproductive healthcare access by 2026. This directly affects CPCs operating in the state, particularly those receiving public funds and targeting marginalized communities.
HB 509, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, codifies the constitutional protections for abortion access established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey by prohibiting North Carolina from imposing restrictions that create an undue burden before fetal viability. The bill allows state restrictions only after fetal viability to preserve life or health and defines "undue burden" as any substantial obstacle to accessing abortion care. It removes barriers such as unnecessary parental consent requirements for minors and expands the scope of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives) who can perform or assist with abortion care. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services and related complications, ensuring broader access for insured individuals.
SB 418 authorizes North Carolina's Commissioner of Insurance to establish and operate a state-run health benefits exchange, creating a marketplace for residents to shop for health insurance plans compliant with federal law. The bill gives the Commissioner authority to set rules, apply for federal funding, and form advisory committees to manage the exchange, with $100,000 appropriated for 2025-2026 to launch it. This directly affects North Carolinians seeking health insurance, providing an alternative to the federal marketplace. The exchange must align with the federal Affordable Care Act, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from pursuing a federal "Partnership" model without legislative approval.
HB 551 aims to improve access to Clubhouse model programs for North Carolinians with severe mental illness by creating a statewide reimbursement system for these services. It requires the state mental health agency to develop a plan by 2026 that includes incentives for Clubhouses to gain accreditation, consistent funding rates across regions, and staff training. The bill allocates $2.5 million in recurring funds starting July 2026 to support accredited Clubhouses for current programs, expansion, accreditation costs, and staff training. It also mandates Medicaid coverage for services under this new reimbursement system, directly affecting individuals with severe mental illness and Clubhouse providers.
