Dear NCMS Members,

I wanted to personally drop you a note as we head into summer and share two important updates regarding current NCMS leadership transitions and recent legislative activity impacting healthcare in North Carolina.

CEO Search Committee Established

As many of you know, after 15 years on the NCMS team, Chip Baggett, resigned as NCMS Chief Executive Officer. We are pleased that Steve Keene, who has served as NCMS General Counsel, stepped into the role of Interim CEO to provide leadership continuity during this transition. The NCMS Board of Directors established a CEO Search Committee to lead the recruitment process for our next CEO. The committee, composed of Board-approved members, will be supported by a nationally respected executive search firm to ensure a comprehensive and professional process.

This week, the committee will meet to define the qualifications and leadership qualities essential for NCMS’s next CEO. They will also establish guiding principles to maintain a steady and transparent search process, with the goal of selecting a candidate who embodies our mission and vision.

AMA Meeting Underway – Our AMA Delegation in Chicago Until Wednesday

The AMA House of Delegates convened in Chicago this week to debate current health issues and develop policy to guide current and future AMA work. There are six (6) physicians in the North Carolina Delegation, led by E. Rebecca Hayes, MD. Other physicians in the delegation are Karen Smith, MD; Arthur Apolinario, MD; Justin Hurie, MD; Mary Ann Contogiannis, MD; and Roy Syracuse, MD. Also attending as an Alternate Delegate is Eileen Raynor, MD. Among the issues being debated:

  • Responding to the reorganization of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and impact on recommendations on the use of vaccines
  • Noncompete clauses that impact physicians’ practice opportunities
  • Corporate practice of medicine
  • Physician unionization
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in medical education
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding
  • Medicaid program funding and eligibility
  • International medical graduate physicians’ practice opportunities
  • Population-specific public health concerns
  • Impact of alcohol on health
  • Artificial/Augmented Intelligence (AI) – healthcare implications

Legislative Activity Update

Two major healthcare bills advanced in the NC Senate last week:

HB 67 – Healthcare Workforce Reforms 
After clearing the Senate Health Committee, HB 67 received favorable approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill consolidates healthcare provider regulations and introduces important updates, including:

  • North Carolina’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
  • Pathways for internationally trained physicians to practice in-state
  • Flexibility for certain physician assistants to work without direct physician supervision in team-based settings

HB 67 now moves to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.

HB 434 – Lower Health Care Costs 
Originally focused on prior authorization reform, HB 434 was significantly revised in the Senate Health Care Committee. The new version includes:

  • The Senate’s framework for prior authorization reform
  • A mandate for the State Auditor to investigate cost and billing transparency in selected facilities
  • Revisions to the certificate of need (CON) review process

The NC Senate approved the revised bill last Wednesday, returning it to the House. Due to the extensive amendments, the House is expected to reject concurrence, likely triggering the formation of a conference committee to resolve differences.

Upcoming NCMS Events

Finally, please plan to attend one of the several upcoming events where you can interact with your colleagues and NCMS leadership.

More details are available on the NCMS event calendar.

  • August 21, 2025: NCMS Social Event – Hickory, 6-8PM, Location TBA
  • September 16, 2025: NCMS Regional Meeting – Durham, 6-8PM, Location TBA
  • October 23, 2025: NCMS Social Event – Wilmington, 6-8PM, Location TBA

We will continue to keep you informed as these efforts progress, and you can expect more frequent updates from our NCMS team.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to enhancing the health of North Carolinians.

Respectfully,

 

John Meier, MD
President, North Carolina Medical Society