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These church members disagree on politics. Together they’re wiping out medical debt.
By Noam N. Levey KFF Health News WINSTON-SALEM — Some issues, like immigration or student loans, are too divisive to unite Trinity Moravian Church. “We’ve got quite a spread of political beliefs,” said the Rev. John Jackman, who leads this 114-year-old red-brick church near Winston-Salem’s old textile mills. Conservative Republicans sit with liberal Democrats. Supporters…
What’s coming for state employees’ insurance in the coming year? Here are the details.
By Rose Hoban Key Takeaways: There’s a fundamental principle in the field of economics: “incentives matter.” The premise is that if the right kinds of financial carrots are put in place, rational people will weigh costs and benefits and adjust their behavior, especially if it’s in their self-interest to do so. That’s the conclusion Tom…
From the legislature to sports arenas to websites, NC weighs accessibility upgrades
By Rose Hoban Key takeaways: Two decades ago, lobbyist Julia Adams started out at the North Carolina General Assembly as an advocate for people with disabilities. Adams, herself, alternates between using a wheelchair and crutches to get to lawmakers’ offices and committee meetings. In those days, it was a real challenge in the legislative building,…
Lawmakers end multi-million-dollar hospital tax ‘loophole’
By Michelle Crouch Co-published with The Charlotte Ledger A little-noticed provision in the state budget that was approved last week aims to shut down a tax strategy used by at least one hospital system to exceed the state’s sales tax refund cap. The change would require nonprofit and public hospital systems to file a single…
Chemours looks to settle federal PFAS case for $450 million. NC wasn’t at the table.
By Rose Hoban and Will Atwater Key takeaways: In a surprise move on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a proposed settlement with chemical manufacturer Chemours over the company’s contamination of major waterways in three states, including North Carolina’s Cape Fear River. The proposed settlement agreement, totaling about $450 million, seeks to remediate what…
The push to hold plastics producers accountable in North Carolina
By Will Atwater In recent years, North Carolina environmentalists and researchers have raised more red flags about how much plastic debris is accumulating in the environment — in creeks and parks and on roadsides. This comes alongside awareness of how those plastics are increasingly showing up inside the human body. Research reveals possible links between…