Graham County

shows charlotte at night, where providers are collecting personal protective equipment in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Today – March 24 – Mecklenburg shelter in place order, personal protective equipment and “a sign from God”

March 24, 2020 by Editor 7 Comments

Coronavirus Today – March 24 – Mecklenburg shelter in place order, personal protective equipment and “a sign from God” - North Carolina Health News

Dissatisfied that voluntary measures were enough, Mecklenburg County orders residents to stay home, and asks the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to enforce as necessary.

By NC Health News staff On Tuesday, health officials reported 140 coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County, prompting a county-issued stay at home directive beginning Thursday morning at 8 a.m. through April 16. A ban on private gatherings of more than 10 people replaces the prior 50-person limit. County manager Dena Diorio said that voluntary measures […]

a man stands at a podium with a number of grim faced advocates for Medicaid expansion standing behind him

Legislative mini-session produces little movement on health care issues, despite new call for Medicaid expansion

January 16, 2020 by Rose Hoban

Legislative mini-session produces little movement on health care issues, despite new call for Medicaid expansion - North Carolina Health News

An unlikely coalition of business people, law enforcement and local officials - all conservative - came together Wednesday to criticize the legislature for missing the opportunity to act on Medicaid.

By Rose Hoban By the time he reached Raleigh after six hours of driving, Dale Wiggins was angry that the lawmakers he was coming to see had already skipped town. Wiggins, the chair of the Graham County Board of Commissioners, came to Raleigh Tuesday to speak to legislators about enacting Medicaid expansion. But by the […]

A brick hospital building that houses labor and delivary services that are about to be discontinued.

Mountain hospital ending labor and delivery services

November 25, 2019 by Carolina Public Press

Mountain hospital ending labor and delivery services - North Carolina Health News

Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy will discontinue labor and delivery services at the beginning of December, with obstetrics and gynecology services slated to end Dec. 31.

Frank Taylor and Kate Martin Carolina Public Press Just as the mountain roads start turning icy, women in Murphy or Andrews will have to travel more than an hour away to find a hospital with labor and delivery services. Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy will discontinue labor and delivery services at the beginning of […]

Shows text supporting Medicaid expansion that reads: The Graham County Commissioners strongly give their full support to Representative Kevin Corbin for House Bill 655... The Graham County Board of Commissioners understand that the majority of uninsured inividuals in North Carolina are employed, but do not make enough money to afford health insurance coverage."

Business leaders, conservatives across state warm to Medicaid expansion

October 3, 2019 by Rose Hoban

Business leaders, conservatives across state warm to Medicaid expansion - North Carolina Health News

In private, and increasingly in public, some are making their support for House Bill 655, which would allow for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, in defiance of the state party leaders.

By Rose Hoban Dale Wiggins thinks it’s time. Actually, he thinks it’s past due. Wiggins, a retired businessman, is the head of the Graham County Board of Commissioners, which recently sent a resolution of support for expanding the state’s Medicaid program to legislative leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper. The unanimous resolution, signed by four Republicans […]

The Appalachian Mountains near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina may benefit from the ARC's recovery ecosystem model

New dollars target opioid misuse, workforce revitalization in WNC

September 11, 2019 by Liora Engel-Smith

New dollars target opioid misuse, workforce revitalization in WNC - North Carolina Health News

Twenty-nine western North Carolina counties could benefit from a new Appalachian Regional Commission initiative that will invest in workforce training and treatment options for people with addiction.

By Liora Engel-Smith Targeting some of the epicenters of the national opioid epidemic, the Appalachian Regional Commission announced a plan to revitalize the workforce in communities ravaged by addiction. The agency, whose mandate is to promote economic prosperity in 420 counties in 13 states, including North Carolina, outlined a plan to bolster and link programs […]

long distance landscape photo of mountains receding into the distance.

Mission Hospital purchase drives change for multiple local health foundations in WNC

August 21, 2019 by Carolina Public Press

Mission Hospital purchase drives change for multiple local health foundations in WNC - North Carolina Health News

A group of western hospital foundations, faced with a changed financial and legal landscape, double down on addressing social determinants of health problems in their communities.

By Neil Cotiaux Carolina Public Press When HCA Healthcare purchased nonprofit Mission Health, the rules of charitable giving in communities across Western North Carolina changed. With a for-profit owner running medical facilities, the foundations that raised funds from donors to support the local hospitals that had become part of Mission Health over time could no […]

18 westernmost counties of North Carolina, each with population numbers noted

Dogwood Health Trust Will Face Challenges Serving Diverse Western N.C. Counties

August 31, 2018 by Mark Tosczak

Dogwood Health Trust Will Face Challenges Serving Diverse Western N.C. Counties - North Carolina Health News

Experts say the foundation will have to be careful and strategic to serve prosperous Asheville along with struggling rural communities.

By Mark Tosczak If all goes as planned, a newly formed foundation, the Dogwood Health Trust, will receive the proceeds of Mission Health’s sale to for-profit hospital operator HCA sometime later this year or in early 2019. That money, as much as $2 billion, will be used to fund $50 million to $100 million in […]

shows older white man standing at a podium, surrounded by white men and women.

Blue Cross Will Continue as the Face of State Employee Insurance

September 20, 2017 by Rose Hoban

Blue Cross Will Continue as the Face of State Employee Insurance - North Carolina Health News

The three-year contract was awarded despite the fact that the insurer remains in a contract standoff in western counties with Mission Health.

This story has been updated to include reaction from legislators. By Rose Hoban North Carolina state Treasurer Dale Folwell announced his decision Tuesday to continue contracting with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to administer the health plan for more than 700,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their families. Folwell said he and his […]

Life Expectancy Gap Widens for Appalachia

August 30, 2017 by Rose Hoban

Life Expectancy Gap Widens for Appalachia - North Carolina Health News

Smoking, high rates of diabetes, obesity heart disease and poor birth outcomes contribute to worsening life expectancy in Western NC.

By Taylor Knopf While life expectancy and infant mortality rates continue to improve across the United States, the Appalachian region struggles to keep up. Infant mortality is 16 percent higher in Appalachia than other areas of America, according to a study published in Health Affairs this month called “Widening disparities in infant mortality and life […]

In Deep-Red WNC, Mark Meadows Leads Charge Against GOP Bill

March 21, 2017 by Kaiser Health News

In Deep-Red WNC, Mark Meadows Leads Charge Against GOP Bill - North Carolina Health News

The Congressman has called the current bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act "Obamacare Light," and set to work in opposition.

By Phil Galewitz Kaiser Health News In this corner of Appalachia, poverty takes a back seat to art galleries, country clubs, golf course communities, five-star restaurants and multimillion-dollar houses. From this perch, Rep. Mark Meadows, a real estate entrepreneur who capitalized on the area’s transformation into a prosperous retirement and vacation community, rose to political […]

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