Catawba County

shows a facemask used to prevent COVID 19 transmission. It's blue with an outline of the state of North Carolina with the flag colors inside the outline

Coronavirus Today – May 19 – Heated Lincoln County debate; nod to older North Carolinians; Avery County gets first COVID case

May 19, 2020 by Editor 1 Comment

Coronavirus Today – May 19 – Heated Lincoln County debate; nod to older North Carolinians; Avery County gets first COVID case - North Carolina Health News

Pressures mount to reopen restaurants, salons and churches as governor contemplates moving to the next phase.

By North Carolina Health News staff Defiance in Lincoln County A Lincoln County restaurant owner who also is a member of the county board of commissioners opened his restaurant in Vale on Monday in defiance of the governor’s statewide stay-at-home order. Carrol Dean Mitchem was cited by Sheriff Bill Beam for violating Gov. Roy Cooper’s […]

Two women interact at an adult day care canter in Raleigh

NC Adult day care centers serve vital purpose, but face stagnant rates

January 7, 2020 by Thomas Goldsmith

NC Adult day care centers serve vital purpose, but face stagnant rates - North Carolina Health News

Adult day care centers don’t have as high a profile as assisted living and nursing homes, but provide a level of care that can allow an older person to stay at home instead of at a residential center.

By Thomas Goldsmith Time spent at an adult day care center can make major life differences for older North Carolinians who have trouble staying at home alone, and for those who look after them. For thousands of caregivers of an older person or someone with disabilities, such a center serves a place of safety and […]

Four people on a panel on stage, flanked by Congress banners

We know what you did this summer

September 10, 2019 by Yen Duong

We know what you did this summer - North Carolina Health News

Members of Congress return to Washington, D.C. from their August recess today. We asked N.C.’s Congressional delegation if they had addressed any health care-related issues in their home districts during the break.

By Yen Duong Since early August, most members of Congress have been back in their home districts for the annual summer recess, and they head back to Washington, D.C. this week. Summer is a traditional time for lawmakers to leave Congress behind, and get in touch with constituents. Many hold town halls, tour public works […]

shows a coal plant with steam puffing from one of the smokestacks

Judge sides with DEQ on Duke Energy coal ash removal

August 2, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Judge sides with DEQ on Duke Energy coal ash removal - North Carolina Health News

The judge finds that the Department of Environmental Quality had authority to order Duke Energy to excavate all of its coal ash pits.

By Greg Barnes A North Carolina administrative law judge ruled Friday that the state Department of Environmental Quality had the proper legal authority to order Duke Energy to excavate each of its coal ash pits across the state. The decision by Judge Selina Malherbe to grant DEQ’s partial motion to dismiss will limit the scope […]

Duke Energy’s decision to appeal coal ash excavation order rankles neighbors, environmentalists

April 16, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Duke Energy’s decision to appeal coal ash excavation order rankles neighbors, environmentalists - North Carolina Health News

The power company says DEQ’s April 1 order would “impose a financial burden on our customers.”

By Greg Barnes Duke Energy says it plans to appeal an April 1 order by the state Department of Environmental Quality to excavate coal ash basins at six of its power plant sites in North Carolina. The department spent months conducting a scientific review and listening to people affected by contamination from the nine coal […]

Adult guardianship group to propose changes in law, practice to NCGA

March 4, 2019 by Thomas Goldsmith

Adult guardianship group to propose changes in law, practice to NCGA - North Carolina Health News

A group spanning academia, state government and nonprofits has worked since 2015 to craft new approaches to adult guardianship in North Carolina.

By Thomas Goldsmith As part of his work as a groundskeeper at Alamance Community College, Sean Brady has had the chance to travel as far away as Utah and Las Vegas for trade conferences. But until 18 months ago, Brady, 34, had to ask his stepmother for permission to travel, because between 2014 and 2017 […]

UnitedHealthcare, Duke LifePoint hospital negotiations over fees reach critical point

December 27, 2018 by Mark Tosczak

UnitedHealthcare, Duke LifePoint hospital negotiations over fees reach critical point - North Carolina Health News

Two Duke LifePoint hospitals are already out of network for UnitedHealthcare plans, and three others could be out as of Jan. 1 if the two sides can’t agree on a new contract.

By Mark Tosczak If you get your health insurance — including Medicare Advantage policies — from UnitedHealthcare, you may want to double-check before you head to your local hospital this holiday season. Several Duke LifePoint hospitals are in contract negotiations with the insurer and are at risk of being out of network by year’s end. […]

shows a large building, one of 8 rural hospitals being acquired by a private equity firm. This one is located in Wilson, North Carolina

Private Equity Merger Includes 8 NC Rural Hospitals, Flying Under the Radar

August 27, 2018 by Carolina Public Press

Private Equity Merger Includes 8 NC Rural Hospitals, Flying Under the Radar - North Carolina Health News

The rural hospitals were most recently acquired by LifePoint Health, which is selling to Apollo Management Group. Local leaders have been left wondering what this will mean for their communities.

By Michael Graff Carolina Public Press On July 23, a private equity company famous for having saved the Twinkie agreed to buy eight hospitals in small communities across North Carolina, but hardly anyone in the state took note. Nationally, financial wire services reported on Apollo Management Group’s $5.6 billion buyout of LifePoint Health that day, […]

NC Counties Gear Up for Accreditation Tests by Looking at Local Needs

August 15, 2018 by Thomas Goldsmith

NC Counties Gear Up for Accreditation Tests by Looking at Local Needs - North Carolina Health News

Each NC local health department has to achieve accreditation based on more than 100 standards, based on a pioneering legislative fiat.

By Thomas Goldsmith When leaders in Anson County looked at public health needs recently, childhood obesity emerged as one of the most troubling trends among the county’s 26,000 citizens. Statistics show that more than a third of adults are obese in Anson, located about 60 miles southeast of Charlotte. And county health director Fred Thompson […]

shows a street sign reading, "Watch for Senior Citizens"

As NC Ages, You Can Help the State Plan

May 10, 2018 by Thomas Goldsmith

As NC Ages, You Can Help the State Plan - North Carolina Health News

Every five years, North Carolina is required by the federal government to devise a plan to meet the needs of its burgeoning older population. At aging-policy listening sessions through June 27, people have chances to speak up on what older people need from the state and others.

By Thomas Goldsmith North Carolina is making plans to address some of the alarming changes predicted for the state’s rapidly growing population of older people. Those who work in the field of aging describe long waiting lists for services chronically short of funds, retirees seeking scarce accessible housing to replace family homes with too many […]

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