Medicaid Rebase Addressed
What was a contentious dispute regarding needed funding for Medicaid that broke out between Democratic Governor Stein and Republican legislative leaders a few months ago was resolved this week with passage and quick signing into law of HB 696 by the governor.
The legislation provides $319M to cover the current estimated shortfall for medical services received by Medicaid recipients, but legislators raised concerned over the $1B projected increase needed for the subsequent fiscal year.
Legislation is being pushed by IIANC member Sen. Jim Burgin (R – Harnett) that seeks to limit healthcare expenses, and two of those bills passed out of the Senate Health Care Committee this week: HB 727 to limit fees charged by hospitals, and HB 390 to require healthcare providers itemize bills when the total charged exceeds $250,000 or when under than amount if what’s being charged appears excessive given the treatment provided.
Proposed Tax Freeze
Legislation (SB 889) that would freeze property value assessments for a year in twelve counties across the state was approved in the Senate Finance Committee this week. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senate leader Phil Berger (R – Rockingham), now heads to the Rules Committee and then to the full Senate for a vote.
IIANC Legislative Agenda Items
Further strengthening of the laws regarding a certificate of insurance (COI) as proof of coverage and the prohibition on requiring a replacement cost estimator (RCE) by lenders as a condition of issuing a loan are likely come up next week at the legislature, as will a proposal to move the effective date from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027, for the provision passed last year that requires NC drivers’ license holders subject to the inexperience operator surcharge maintain continuous liability coverage – carriers expressed a desire for more time to ensure requisite DMV reporting requirements were working smoothly prior to implementation of the new law.
Legislative Departures
Sen. Terrance Everett (D – Wake) resigned from the Senate this week, stating in a social media post that he leaving to focus on his new position as Executive Director of the North Carolina Voter Protection Alliance.
Local Democratic Party leaders will select Everett’s replacement to fill out the term, with that person also becoming the Democratic state Senate candidate on the November ballot. Based on historical voting patterns, that senate district (which includes northern Wake County and all of Granville County) is rated a Toss Up.
Rep. Carla Cunningham (D – Mecklenburg), who lost in the March 3rd Primary to an opponent endorsed by Governor Josh Stein switched her voter registration to Unaffiliated.
Also making the switch from Democrat to Unaffiliated was Rep. Nasif Majeed (D - Mecklenburg) who like Cunningham suffered a primary loss (but whose opponent was not endorsed by Governor Stein). The two now-former Democrats have not announced yet if they intend to join the Republican House Caucus.
Also This Week
House and Senate Democratic leaders released their priorities for the session, including an increase to $15 per hour in the state-mandated minimum wage, a push for more affordable housing, and further restrictions on the development of data centers.
Finally …
IIANC, in partnership with the NC Alliance for Safe Transportation (www.besafenc.org) sponsored the final Distracted Driving Awareness minor league baseball game of the season last Friday at the Asheville Tourists home game.
IIANC member Sen. Kevin Corbin threw out the first pitch, sang the National Anthem with a quartet from his church choir, AND gave a radio interview advocating for a hands-free driving law for North Carolina (he’s a sponsor of SB 797 to prohibit a driver from holding a mobile communication device in their hand while behind the wheel. The bill has 24 Senate sponsors – a mix of both Republicans and Democrats).
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