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North Carolina News You Can Use

HEALTHCARE

Facing backlash, fate of NC Republicans’ proposed ban on public masking is unclear

But during the Covid-19 pandemic, many on the right took issue with mask mandates issued by state and local governments as part of their efforts to minimize transmission of the deadly virus. At the height of the pandemic, Reopen NC was a group dedicated to opposing business and restaurant closures, and even started a ‘Burn Your Mask Challenge,’ where participants would post videos burning masks to social media.

HEALTHCARE - Cardinal & Pine
HEALTHCARE - Cardinal & Pine

Opinion: PFAS contamination is endangering our local farmers. A bill in Congress would empower them to address the crisis

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PFAS gets into our water when solvents and firefighting foam are used on military bases, or when companies like Chemours manufacture certain products. We now know this pollution has also made its way into our soils, foods, and even in our air.
HEALTHCARE - Cardinal & Pine

New report: estimated 134 rape-induced pregnancies happened daily in Trump abortion-ban states

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A new analysis by the Center for American Progress Action shows the devastating day-to-day reality of state abortion bans. 
Photo of a hospital emergency department in Wilson, NC.

Hurricane Helene sparks emergency temporary NC Medicaid adjustments

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With a focus on western North Carolina, NCDHHS has introduced temporary measures to aid those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Medicare

Harris proposes plan to have Medicare cover in-home care for seniors, give relief to family caregivers

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Under Harris’ plan, Medicare would cover the cost of in-home health care for seniors enrolled in the program, after a medical provider has determined that they are in need of help performing daily tasks. Harris’ proposal would also provide coverage for vision and hearing benefits under Medicare.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks on medical debt relief at an event in the South Courtyard Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, in Washington, DC, April 11, 2022. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Harris announces new actions to alleviate medical debt in North Carolina

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These actions include issuing advisories to prevent debt collectors from targeting families with illegal medical debt collection tactics and cracking down on certain collectors. The new efforts could have a major impact in North Carolina, where as many as three million people are affected by medical debt. 
Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks alongside U.S. President Joe Biden at Prince George’s Community College on August 15, 2024 in Largo, Maryland. Biden and Harris held the event to talk about their administration's efforts to lower drug costs. This event is the first time President Biden and Vice President Harris have appeared in public together since Biden announced he would be stepping down from running for re-election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Harris seeks to lower drug costs for North Carolinians, building on recent progress

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Harris wants to expand the $35 monthly cap on insulin costs and a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs so that they apply to all Americans, not just seniors on Medicare.