Overview of NCMS Members & Member Spouse Candidates
*This candidate list is is not an endorsement. This list is a summary of all physician/PA candidates and physician/PA spouses running for elected office in North Carolina.
United States Congress
Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy (R-Pitt)
3rd Congressional District
Counties included in District: Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Pitt, Greene, Lenior, Onslow, Jones, Craven, Tyrell, Dare, Hyde, Carteret, Pamlico, Beaufort
Specialty: Urologist
Committees: Education and Labor Committee, Science, Space and Technology Committee
Terms: North Carolina General Assembly House -2.5,
North Carolina General Assembly
Rep./Dr. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus)
Specialty: Psychiatrist
Committees: Health, Health Appropriations, Insurance, Education-Universities, House COVID-19 Health Working Group, Chair - House Select Committee on Commuity Relations, Law Enforcement, and Justice
Term: Appointed to the NCGA on March 19, 2020
Rep./Dr. Perrin Jones, MD (R-Pitt)
Specialty: Anesthesiologist
Committees: Health, Health Appropriations, Insurance, Education-Universities, House COVID-19 Health Working Group, Appropriations, Aging, House Select Committee on Commuity Relations, Law Enforcement, and Justice
Term: Appointed to the NCGA on September 9, 2019 (former seat of Rep./Dr. Greg Murphy R-Pitt)
Dr. Phil Stover, MD (D-Franklin, Nash)
Specialty: Family Physician
First time candidate for the NCGA
Physician/PA Spouses
Karen Kozel (R)
NC Senate District 5 - (Pitt, Greene)
Terms: Former NCGA House Member
Joe Sam Queen (D)
NC House District 119 - (Jackson, Swain)
Terms: 3 Terms in the NCGA House, 3 Terms in the NCGA Senate
Committees: Approprations, Appropriations Information Technology, Regulatory Reform, Agriculture
Larry Yarborough (R)
NC House District 2 - (Granville, Person)
Terms: 3 Terms in NCGA House
Committees: Environment Chair, Regulatory Reform Chair, Agriculture Appropriations Vice Chair, Wildlife Resources Vice Chair, Appropriations, Ethics, House Select Committee COVID-19, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Agriculture
HB 1105 - Coronavirus Relief Bill 3.0
HB 1105 - Coronavirus Relief Bill
Some key provisions include the following:
- $25 million - North Carolina Medical Society Foundation to ensure access to medical care for citizens by distributing these funds to independent medical practices in the state with financial needs related to COVID-19
- $21 million - Department of Public Instruction to improve internet connectivity for students
- $25 million - Board of Governors to provide funds to transition students to online education and provide funds for students and families impacted by COVID-19
- $17 million -Duke University Human Vaccine Institute of the Duke Univeristy School of Medicine to develop a vaccine and low-cost COVID-19 testing for active infections
- $12 million - DHHS to allocate equally to the 6 food banks
- $20 million - DHHS to provide temporary assistance in a monthly payment to facilities serving residents who are recipients of State-County Special Assistance during COVID-19
- $12.4 million - North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to cover costs of services provided during COVID-19
- $6.5 million - DHHS to MedAssist, to offset costs for providing prescription assistance
- $12.4 million - North Carolina Community Health Center Association to cover the cost of eligible health services provided during COVID-19
- $34 million - North Carolina Senior Living Association and NC Health Care Facilities Association for rapid tests
- $5 million - UNC Board of Governors to mitigate the spread on UNC campuses with testing, tracing, and other COVID-19 related services
- $3.5 million - Reinvestment Partners for their Prescription Program
- $4.35 million - DHHS Division of Social Services, to assist in children in foster care during COVID-19
- $9 million - Growing Rural Economies with Acces to Technology Fund to increase broadband access
- $9 million - UNC Charlotte for the Bioinformatics Reseach Center
- $13 million - UNC Board of Governors to purchase PPE
- $500,000 - East Carolina University to conduct research on the key impacts of COVID-19
- $500,000 - UNC Southern Regional Area Health Education Center for COVID
- $12 million - Department of Administration, Council for Women to be used for domestic violence centers and sexual assault programs
- $5 million - State Board of Elecctions to prevent, prepare for, and respond, to the pandemic during the 2020 election cycle
- $600,000 - DHHS Division of Social services to continue Food and Nutrition Services benefits for dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
- $8 million - DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education to provide assistance to parents usiing remote learning opportunities for children
- $20 million - DHHS Provider Relief Fund for the related treatment expenses to treat uninsured patients
- $400,000 - Bridge Grant Recovry, Inc. to offset costs for increased demand in substance abuse services
- $500,000 - Triangle Residential Operations for Substance Abusers, Inc.
- $1 million - Nurse Family Partnership
- $38 million - DHHS to distribute to the LME/MCOs
- $30 million Department of Information Technology - supplementary GREAT Act grant process
- Creation of Earthquake Disaster Recovery Fund and allocation for hurricane relief
House Select Committee on Community Relations, Law Enforcement, and Justice
The House Select Committee on Community Relations, Law Enforcement and Justice held it's first meeting on September 2, 2020.
View the list of legislative members here.
View the list of non-legislative members here.
The purpose of this meeting was for Committee members to hear an overview of the current state of the NC criminal justice system and learn more about law enforcement indicators.
Overview of the NC Criminal Justice System
Jessica Smith, UNC School of Government
NC charged 1.9 million crimes in 2019
- 1.6 million misdemeanor charges
- 6.66% violent
- 93.3% nonviolent
- 1 million traffic offenses
- 343,ooo felony charges
- 16.4% violent
- 83.6% nonviolent
- 33% (112,648) charges were drug related
Jessica noted that the group should consider the folowing factors that influence who enters the criminal justice system:
- Health services
- Employment
- Education
- Housing
- Criminal record
- Fines and fees
- Driver's license suspensions
- Family stability
Law Enforcement Indicators: Community Response, Use of Force, Community Engagement
Duren Banks, Division for Applied Justice Research, RTI International
This presentation was provided to the Committee to give an overview of current data relating to community and police interactions.
The Committee had a meaningful discussion on these data points and will meet again later this month.
Governor Releases Budget Adjustments 2020-21
On August 26, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper held a press conference to release his proposed budget adjustments for 2020-21.
Some key items include --
- $175 million for critical public health services, with $25 million for testing and tracing;
- $49 million to develop a state personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile;
- $25 million to research obstacles to reliable, rapid COVID-19 testing;
- $132 million to help K-12 public schools to protect students, teachers and staff with COVID-19 support;
- $50 million to establish an emergency grant program to invest in expanded broadband access;
- $27.5 million to combine with other funds to create a $50 million relief program to support North Carolina businesses with rent, mortgage and utility relief; and
- One-time bonuses to K-12 public school teachers, principals, support staff and non-certified school personnel.
The NCGA House and Senate are scheduled to convene on Wednesday September 2, at noon.
House Committee on COVID-19 Health Care Working Group
The NCGA House Select Committee on COVID-19 Health Care Working Group met on August 20, 2020.
Coronavirus Relief Fund Availability
The Fiscal Research Division provided an overview to the Committee about the previous appropriations provided by the NCGA. View the complete break down of appropriations here.
DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education COVID-19 Funding Priorities
Susan Gale Perry from NC DHHS explained that about 11% (16,374) of NC COVID-19 cases are among children ages 0-17. Overall food insecurity among all ages of North Carolinians increased from 11.7% in February 2020 to 34% by May 2020.
There has been a 35% decline in Child Protective Services reports. Perry attibuted this decline to the mandatory reports, especially from educational professionals having less contact with students.
Perry states that DHHS anticipated expending all CARES funding for childcare before the December deadline. The Department's top priorities include PPE, workforce retention, and operational grants.
DHHS COVID-19 Funding Priorities
NCDHHS Secretary, Dr. Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, provided a high level view of the coronavirus relief funding to date.
- The federal CARES Act provided $150 billion to state and local governments.
- To date, NC DHHS has revieved $345,340,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funds appropriated through the NC General Assembly.
- All of this funding must be spent by December 30, 2020.
- Priorities for additional funding:
- Access to Health: Medicaid expansion
- Prevention: infection control, hygiene technical assistance, public awareness campaigns
- Aging Adults: long term care workforce retention
- Rural/Underserved: wrap arround supports, community health workers
- Early Childhood: PPE, childcare workforce retention, adults mental health services
- Opioid Epidemic: treatment and support recovery
Health Care Working Group Funding Requests
There were 39 funding requests made to the COVID-19 Health Care Working Group.
#19 - The North Carolina Medical Society requested $50 million to distribute to financially distressed practices to prevent futher closers of independent practices.
NCMS is creating an action alert for members to advocate for this funding.
The Appropriations Chairs will meet next week to discuss these allocations.
You can find your legislator's contact information here.
Joint Legislative Oversight Health and Human Services - COVID-19
The Joint Legislative Oversight Health and Human Services Committee met on August 11, 2020 at 10:00am.
COVID-19 Opening Remarks from the Secretary
Dr. Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, informed the Committee that the State took early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the virus.
She emphasized that the public must continue to practice the 3 Ws, wear a mask, wash your hands, and wait six feet apart. The state's strategies include prevention, testing/tracing, and isolation/quarantine.
The current 3 key prevention strategies that the Department is focusing on currently include the following:
- Promote public messaging
- Provide personal protectice equipment
- Issue guidance and support
To date, DHHS has distributed 3.5 million cloth masks and 4.5 million procedure masks, and additional PPE supplies across the state.
There are approximately 30,000 daily tests completed daily and turnaround times have improved to a 3 day average.
DHHS currently has over 1,800 staff members to support contact tracing efforts.
To date, DHHS has recieved $345,340,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funds from the Us Treasury appropriated through the General Assembly. All funding allocated from this source must be used by 12/30/2020.
Other CARES Act funding recieved, mostly through grants, totals $508, 230,785. These funds have longer liquidation periods ranging from 12-36 months.
Funding initiatives to support child welfare, nutrition, child care, older adults, housing, and mental health were highlighted.
DHHS has worked with emergency management to distribute $180 million to distribute PPE to health care workers, long term facilities, childcare centers, court facilities, and schools.
DHHS is investing federal funds to strengthen our public health infrastructure to continue to meet the demands of the pandemic.
- $26.9 million - modernize public health survelliance systems
- $14.8 million - surge staffinf for temporary employees and consultants
- $1 million - support scientific research to learn the impact of COVID-19
NCMS Member, Dr. David Hill, MD, FAAP, provided an update to the Committee about the impact COVID-19 is having on children.
Dr. Hill informed the committee that science constantly improvies on itself which is a strength, but can also cause confusion as better information comes to light.
He added that children ages 0-18 account for approcimately 9% of all US COVID-19 cases. An aysmptomatic infection is commen in children.
He stated hospitalization rates are 95% lower for kids than adults, but 1/3 of hospitalized kids end up in intensive care units.
He added minority children and muti-generational households have a higher risk factor. We can all reduce the spread by using face masks, social distancing, and hand washing.
Children continuing to receive their scheduled vaccinations is a major concern for pediatricians.
Joint Legislative Oversight Committee - NC Medicaid
The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee met on August 11, 2020 at 1:30pm.
The Committee heard reports about Medicaid Transformation, Medicaid enrollment, and Medicaid budgeting.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, provided overview remarks to the Committee. She noted that increasing access to affordable insurance is an important way for the state to fight COVID-19.
Dr. Cohen presented data from the Kaiser Family Foundation that concludes 13% of North Caroinians were uninsured in 2018.
She added that while the Families First Coronavirus Response Act allows states to pay for COVID-19 testing for the uninsured, it does not pay for treatment.
She remains hopeful that federal legislation will be passed. If there is federal funding, the NCGA would need to convene to distribute the funds.
There are 1.6-1.8 billion Medicaid beneficiaries will enroll in standard plans.
The beneficiaries will be able to choose from 5 prepaid health plans:
- AmeriHealth Caritas
- Healthy Blue
- United HealthCare
- WellCare
- Carolina Complete Health (regions 3, 4, 5)
One added challenge in transitioning to managed care is the uncertainty in provider's prioritizing contracting due to COVID-19.
DHHS is currently working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to develop a tribal option to go live in region 1.
Enrollment in Medicaid and NC Health Choice is expected to grow. However, the Department was clear that the pandemic will be a major factor in enrollment.
The Medicaid average memberhsip is expected to grow 8% through 2021.
For fiscal year 2019-2020 appropriations expenditure for Medicaid and NC Health Choice was $116 million of 3% less than budgeted.
The main drivers of growth for the 2019-2020 fiscal year were COVID-19 rates and policy. The main areas of savings were the lower claims volume from social distancing, the Families First Act FMAP bonus, and accelerated hospital supplemental payments.
SB 105 - Clarify Emergency Powers
SB 105 - Clarify Emergency Powers
Summary
This bill would clarify the expiration of a state of emergency and the exercise of certain powers under a state of emergency and to clarify the abatement of statewide imminent hazards.
The bill requires a consensus with within 48 hours of contact, a majority of the Council of State prior to the Governor exercising a power or authority requiring concurrence. The Governor would be required to document the contact and response of each Council of State member.
History
This bill was changed into a new bill from it's original subject matter in the House Rules Committee on June 23, 2020.
This bill passed the House 64-51 on June 24, 2020.
This bill passed the House on third reading on June 25, 2020.
This bill passed the Senate on June 26, 2020.
This bill was vetoed by the Governor on July 2, 2020.
The Senate failed to override the Governor's veto on July 8, 2020.
SB 232 - Repeal Death Invest Conf/Masks/Health & Safety
SB 232 - Repeal Death Invest Conf/Masks/Health & Safety
Summary
This bill would have repealed confidentiality of certain death investigation information in a bill that the governor vetoed.
This bill authorizes individuals to wear masks and face coverings for health purposes.
History
This bill was changed from a bill tracking outcomes of veterans programs to the current language in the House Rules Committee on July 6, 2020.
This bill passed the House with a vote of 102-2 on July 7, 2020.
This bill passed the Senate on July 8, 2020.
This bill will now be sent to Governor Cooper.
HB 806 - Open Exercise and Fitness Facilities
HB 806 - Open Exercise and Fitness Facilities
Summary
This bill would authorize indoor and outdoor exercise fitness facilities, gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers to resume operations.
These facilities would be required to meet certain requirements including the following:
- Limit indoor capacity to 40%
- Employee health questions
- Employee face mask requirements except when leading a class or when outdoors socially distant
- Contactless check-in
- Sanitation stations
- Hand sanitizer availability throughout the establishment
- Routine cleanings
- On premises childcare limited to 50%
- Water fountains limited to filling water bottles only
History
The House failed to override the veto on July 8, 2020.
This bill was vetoed by Governor Cooper on July 2, 2020.
This bill was previously a pool liability bill and was turned into a bill opening exercise facilities on June 25, 2020.