Etchison, 38, served in the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria before retiring after 11 years with the rank of major. She has never held public office. Etchison has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a master’s of public policy from Harvard Kennedy School of government. She’s worked abroad on economic development projects, domestically as a security consultant, and volunteers with nonprofit organizations for youth leadership development and Afghan refugee resettlement. She and her husband live in Vass, a town in Moore County. They are expecting their first child.
Our Q&A with Shelane Etchison
NC Health News reached out to Shelane Etchison multiple times without receiving a response. So, we researched each candidate who did not provide answers by searching their Congressional voting records and social media, going to events, tracking their public comments, searching their campaign websites and conducting searches of other media outlets.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security/ strength of Medicare?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care/ pharmaceutical costs?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
PFAS contamination is a country-wide issue; How do you balance public safety and business interests with this issue?
Etchison did not respond to this question, but in a candidate survey for CityView she said: “As your congresswoman, I’ll work to ensure North Carolinians affected by PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River have access to clean, safe drinking water. I will push the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce its new drinking water standards, which set strict limits on PFAS chemicals like PFOA, PFOS and GenX. I’ll also advocate for additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help utilities install advanced filtration systems along with private well users. Additionally, I will fight to hold polluters like Chemours accountable by supporting legislation to designate PFAS as hazardous substances, ensuring they are responsible for cleanup costs. By strengthening the EPA’s authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, I will help push for faster and more extensive remediation of contaminated areas.”
Is the federal government ready for the next pandemic? Why or why not?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
In 2009, Congress required more transparency from hospitals on their charitable work. Do you think the federal government should enforce stricter requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions? Why or why not?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
Etchison did not respond to this question, but in a candidate survey with CityView she said: “I support codifying abortion laws as it was under Roe v. Wade. Where abortion access is protected at the federal level until fetal viability, and exceptions exist thereafter as to preserve the life and health of the mother. My position is consistent with the majority of Americans who believe government should not dictate these personal family decisions or interfere with medical professionals’ ability to provide reproductive care. As a current expectant mother, I understand there is a point of fetal viability in which abortion care should only be reserved for rare medical circumstances where the life and health of the mother are at risk.”
How can Congress improve access to child care? What states are leading the way that you think could be a good federal model? What are your thoughts on the EITC/child care tax credit?
Etchison did not respond to this question, but in a post on Twitter/X, she said “a combination of government intervention and market solutions may be the most effective approach.” She said she “advocates for government incentive programs to address the childcare gap. By incentivising individuals to start new childcare facilities or expand existing ones, market forces should help lower childcare costs, reducing the need for significant government spending. This approach could be similar to religious-sponsored childcare facilities under North Carolina childcare rules and laws, with similar opportunities extended to non-religious sponsorships if none exist currently.”
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
Etchison did not respond to the question, but she did tell the Charlotte Observer that she hopes to add more protections on social media use, which studies show can be harmful to mental health, especially among youth. Among her campaign issues is promoting national service programs for young people, which she discussed on the LibertyiNC podcast: “How do we start getting people some purpose, some perspective, some skills and opportunities without having to go into the military … How are we building more avenues to bring those life skills, character building skills, the perspective, opportunities to our young people?”
Any other issues you’d like to weigh in on?
Etchison did not respond to this question but she shared the following thoughts on health issues on her campaign website: “Our society is hurting. Social connectedness to families, communities, spirituality, and nature is declining while addiction, isolation, and mental health crises – especially among young people – are on the rise. Current political divisions and media manipulation contribute to this problem. Shelane believes it’s a national imperative to strengthen our societal well-being by promoting civility, lifelong learning and skills building, holistic health approaches, and incentivized national service.” Etchison also said this in her Ballotpedia candidate questionnaire: “We have many challenges facing our nation from growing debt, immigration, youth mental health, emboldened foreign adversaries, and rising everyday costs like housing, healthcare, and childcare. However, the greatest issue we’re facing is the partisan divide. Because without first addressing the hyper-partisanship and gridlock, none of these issues will get resolved.”