NCMS holds crucial summit on the future of healthcare in NC

Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry experts gathered for a crucial summit addressing the future of healthcare in North Carolina. The event featured discussions on healthcare economic trends, legislative policies, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical and administrative settings.

The summit kicked off with a Healthcare Economic Forecast where industry expert Ed Gaines, JD, provided an in-depth analysis of the financial trends shaping healthcare across the state and the nation. His session underscored the growing financial pressures on healthcare systems and the importance of policy adaptation.

A major legislative topic of the day legislative innovation. Senator Benton Sawrey (R-Johnston) outlined the evolving role of Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners professionals in healthcare teams. His discussion emphasized how expanding the responsibilities of Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners could enhance patient care and alleviate burdens on primary care physicians.

Artificial Intelligence emerged as a dominant theme at the Advocacy Summit, with multiple breakout sessions exploring its implications in healthcare. The Artificial Intelligence & Prior Authorization session, led by Dr. Deborah Kaye, examined how AI can streamline the prior authorization process, reducing administrative delays and improving patient access to care. A broader discussion on AI’s role in healthcare, with UNC Chief Information Officer David McSwain, showcased how emerging technologies are transforming diagnostics, patient management, and clinical decision-making.

The Healthcare Legislative Panel brought together lawmakers actively shaping healthcare policy in North Carolina including Representative Tim Reeder, MD (R-Pitt) and Senator Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake). Their discussion focused on pressing legislative efforts, including initiatives to address provider shortages and improve healthcare access across rural and urban communities.

Innovative solutions were also explored through breakout sessions, including one on the Interstate Licensure Compact, which aims to ease medical licensing across state lines to improve provider mobility and address workforce shortages. Another session examined the role of mobile clinics, highlighting how these units can expand healthcare access to underserved populations and assist in future natural disasters.

The event concluded with a Town Hall Discussion, where attendees engaged with North Carolina Medical Society CEO Chip Baggett on policy issues affecting their practices and communities.

With a packed agenda addressing critical topics, this year’s healthcare summit underscored the need for collaborative policy-making and innovation to navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare in North Carolina.