Healthcare (Hospitals)

in committee · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 1090: Revitalizing, Uplifting Regions and Access Local (RURAL) Care Act.

This bill creates a new Rural Healthcare Infrastructure Fund in North Carolina to help build, repair, and modernize healthcare facilities in rural areas. The fund will provide money through grants and low-interest loans to support construction and renovation projects, while also replacing an older stabilization program. A state council must first develop and get approval for a detailed plan outlining how the fund will be managed and who can apply before any money is awarded. The bill also updates the duties of the state health council and requires annual reports on how the fund is being used.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to build, repair, and modernize rural healthcare facilities, directly increasing funding and improving access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Tags Rural Communities

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passed · North Carolina · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1040: Repeal CON for ASCs and Inpatient Rehab.

This bill removes the requirement for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services to obtain a Certificate of Need before opening or expanding in North Carolina. It directly affects healthcare providers operating these facilities by eliminating a regulatory approval step that previously required state permission for new construction or major expansions. The legislation also allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help phase out the remaining Certificate of Need laws in the state and updates legal definitions to exclude behavioral health facilities from these review processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill eliminates Certificate of Need requirements, reducing regulatory burdens and administrative costs for healthcare providers, which promotes fiscal efficiency.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoving Certificate of Need requirements expands access to healthcare facilities and reduces regulatory barriers for providers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1005: We Need More Midwives Act.

This bill creates the Midwifery Education Grant Program to increase the number of midwives in North Carolina by funding training programs at specific University of North Carolina institutions. It provides up to $20 million in state funds to support eligible universities that offer advanced nursing degrees but currently lack certified nurse-midwife training programs. To receive grants, institutions must partner with a hospital, submit a budget, and commit to graduating at least 20 midwives within five years, with priority given to historically black colleges and universities. The legislation appropriates $4 million per institution and requires the university system to report on grant usage and program timelines to state oversight committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $20M in state funds to expand midwifery education and healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $20M to fund midwifery training programs at UNC institutions, expanding higher education access and professional development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $20M to fund midwifery training, increasing healthcare provider access and strengthening maternal health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 895: Nonprofit Hospitals Tax Exemption.

This bill modifies tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals in North Carolina by linking property tax relief directly to the cost of charity care provided to low-income patients. Under the new rules, a hospital's property tax exemption is calculated based on the actual cost of services given to uninsured or underinsured individuals with family incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the legislation expands sales tax refunds for nonprofit hospitals, allowing them to recover taxes on over-the-counter drugs and capping the total refund at the lesser of a fixed dollar amount or the hospital's verified charity care costs. These changes are designed to ensure that tax benefits are tied to specific charitable activities rather than general operations. The provisions will take effect for tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill links tax exemptions to charity care, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting essential health services for low-income patients.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill links tax exemptions to charity care costs, incentivizing hospitals to provide services to low-income patients and strengthening access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Hospitals

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 923: Funds for Brenner Children's Hospital.

This bill directs $250,000 in nonrecurring state funds to the City of Winston-Salem for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended to support a rural maternal health program at Brenner Children's Hospital. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $250,000 in state funds to support a rural maternal health program, directly advancing public health services and funding essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $250,000 to fund a rural maternal health program, directly increasing healthcare resources and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 16, 2026

SB 978: Healthcare Competition Reforms.

This bill creates a new review process in North Carolina to oversee major transactions involving hospitals, aiming to preserve competition in healthcare services. It requires hospital entities and acquiring parties to notify the State Auditor, Attorney General, and State Treasurer before selling or transferring control of at least 50% of a hospital's assets, provided the deal involves $5 million or more. These officials must jointly review the proposed transaction within a set timeframe and can object if they determine it would harm competition, though they may also choose to take no action. The law applies to licensed hospitals and their affiliated organizations, including holding companies and subsidiaries, but excludes routine business activities unless specifically waived by the reviewing officials. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect healthcare workers as whistleblowers and limits CEO compensation for non-profit hospitals that receive state funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a review process to preserve competition and protect patient rights in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 961: Hospital Authority Commissioner Reforms.

This bill reformulates the composition of hospital authority boards in North Carolina to ensure greater public and elected official representation. It mandates that each board include at least four public members and four elected officials, while also requiring that board meetings follow specific open meeting laws. To prevent all members from leaving at once, the law establishes a staggered term system where initial terms range from one to two years before standardizing to three years. Additionally, the state provides $50,000 in funding to assist hospital authorities with the transition to these new requirements by December 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens hospital governance by increasing public and elected representation, improving accountability and oversight of health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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signed · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 433: State Fiscal Recovery Fund/NC Pandemic Recovery Office Revisions.

House Bill 433 allows licensed registered nurses (RNs) to serve as school nurses in North Carolina public schools. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring a four-year degree for school nurse employment. It specifies that RNs with at least two years of experience in a hospital or health clinic can work as school nurses without needing additional certifications or licenses. These qualified registered nurses will be paid under the certified school nurse pay scale.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves degree barriers for RNs to serve as school nurses, expanding qualified staffing options without additional costs. Directly supports school staff accessibility in education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows qualified RNs to work as school nurses without degree requirements, expanding access to school health services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Primary Care

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 242: Add Psychiatric Hospitals to Medicaid Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP).

HB 242 adds freestanding psychiatric hospitals (licensed, Medicare-certified facilities primarily providing psychiatric care that are not state-owned) to North Carolina’s Medicaid Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP). This expands the existing program - which currently reimburses acute care hospitals - to include these psychiatric hospitals, providing them with increased Medicaid reimbursements. The funding will come from a new quarterly assessment levied on the psychiatric hospitals themselves, calculated as a percentage of their hospital costs. The bill does not change patient eligibility but alters how these specific hospitals receive Medicaid payments through the HASP program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric hospitals via new hospital assessment, funding essential mental health services without general tax increase.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include psychiatric hospitals, increasing reimbursements for mental health services and improving access to specialized care within the HASP program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 330: LME/MCO Transparency and Accountability.

SB 330 requires North Carolina's Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) serving Medicaid beneficiaries for mental, behavioral, and substance use services to submit quarterly reports starting October 2025. These reports must include data on emergency department waits over 24 hours, access to providers within 30 days, unused funds due to provider shortages, and network provider counts. The bill also sets new service standards: LME/MCOs must ensure fewer than two people per county are "boarded" in hospital ERs (staying over 24 hours after medical clearance) and that 85% of approved services begin within 45 days. Failure to meet these benchmarks for two consecutive quarters triggers corrective action by the state. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries accessing behavioral health services and the LME/MCOs managing those services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency and service standards for mental health Medicaid services to improve access (e.g., reducing wait times, addressing provider shortages), directly strengthening patient access and accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

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