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Smoky Mountain News

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COVID cases rise in Western North Carolina

Officials are reminding people that even though the coronavirus isn’t leading to as much severe illness, they should take precautions to mitigate its spread. Haywood County Medical Director Dr. Mark Jaben told The Smoky Mountain News that cases are on the rise throughout the region. This breaks from the typical trend seen in previous years where the largest spike occurs during late winter with a smaller spike occurring during the summer. Jaben said that this year brought a smaller summer wave than normal, adding that the rise in cases seen now may be a continuation of that surge or an earlier iteration of the winter surge.

Haywood County, NC · 9d
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alamancenews.com

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County wraps up new 9-1-1 center, prepares to begin work on Mebane EMS base

The coming few months could make for some significant milestones in a number of big-ticket capital projects that are currently on the to-do list of Alamance County’s government. Early next month, the county’s administrators expect to present the board of commissioners with a contract for a much-discussed ambulance base...

Alamance County, NC · 8d
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WilmingtonBiz

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Novant Health Prepares For Major Expansion In 2027

Earlier this year, Novant Health announced plans to embark on a multiyear, billion-dollar plan to expand and modernize its health care facilities across the region. While the provider awaits a decision from state officials on its plans to add 225 inpatient beds to its planned heart and vascular tower at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), several other projects are expected to expand access to care across coastal North Carolina over the next year.

Wilmington, NC · 9d
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ABC11 Eyewitness News

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Nursing shortage strains North Carolina workforce

A nationwide nursing shortage is putting pressure on the health care workforce as North Carolina faces the challenge of caring for an aging population.

North Carolina · 8d

NC Newsline

partner publisher · 19.7K followers

New campaign aims to help NC Medicaid recipients keep coverage under new rules

A new campaign launching in North Carolina aims to help Medicaid recipients navigate upcoming federal requirements and avoid losing coverage because of confusing paperwork or reporting rules.  Keep Your Care, a national campaign focused on helping people maintain Medicaid coverage, launched its North Carolina effort Thursday at a Raleigh roundtable with recipients, caregivers and lawmakers.  […]

North Carolina · 7d

WWAY NewsChannel 3

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Novant Health announces plan for faster appointments for State Health Plan members in 2027

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — Novant Health announced a new measure its taking to make it easier for North Carolina State Health Plan members to access care at the plan’s “Preferred” lowest-cost tier. The move would ensure new-patient appointments occur within 10 days. The 10-day appointment plan...

North Carolina · 7d

The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 64.6K followers

North Carolina’s Medicaid work rule hits about 740,000 enrollees on Jan. 1

About 740,000 North Carolinians are covered by Medicaid expansion, and the adults among them face a new work rule on Jan. 1, 2027. To keep full coverage, each adult age 19 to 64 must show either $580 a month in household earnings or 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering, unless an exemption... The post North Carolina’s Medicaid work rule hits about 740,000 enrollees on Jan. 1 appeared first on The Financial Wire .

North Carolina · 9d

neusenews.com

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Bob Brinson emphasizes affordability, jobs and rural health care

Republican state Sen. Bob Brinson is seeking reelection in North Carolina Senate District 3, with affordability, jobs and rural health care among his priorities. The district includes Beaufort, Craven and Lenoir counties. Brinson said he wants to control growth in state spending, keep taxes low and address rising property taxes...

North Carolina · 8d

biltmorebeacon.com

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N.C. reports first flu-related death of respiratory virus season

North Carolina reported its first flu-related death of the respiratory virus season in early October, prompting Buncombe County Public Health to encourage residents to get vaccinated. During the previous respiratory virus season, the state recorded 335 flu-related deaths, including 10 children. Nine deaths occurred among Buncombe County adults, most of...

Buncombe County, NC · 9d

FOX8 News

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Groundbreaking held in Greensboro for new Novant Health facility

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Novant Health held a groundbreaking for the new Novant Health Zion Hills Medical Plaza. The groundbreaking was held on Alamance Church Road outside of Mount Zion Baptist Church. The new building marks the next phase of a partnership announced in 2025 between Novant Health and Mount Zion Baptist church to bring […]

Greensboro, NC · 10d

wcti12.com

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NC State Fair attendance drops to lowest level since 2009, excluding COVID-impacted year

RALEIGH, N.C. — Attendance at the 2026 North Carolina State Fair dropped to its lowest level in more than 15 years, excluding the first fair held after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to attendance figures from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 910,584 people attended this year's...

North Carolina · 10d

WFMY NEWS2

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How long will you be in the ER? | 2 Wants to Know

Guilford County, NC · 7d

The Tribune

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Healthcare, education focus of Badgett run for House seat

Candidates running for the North Carolina General Assembly House District 90, incumbent Republican Dan Kiger and challenger Democrat Ken Badgett answered the same set of questions, designed to give voters an idea of how the office-seekers stand on relevant issues. Those questions, and their answers, appear in this week’s edition of The Tribune. Ken Badgett 1. What is your profession? How long have you worked in that field at your present location? Please limit your answer to 150 words. Like many people, my professional plans have been modified by family needs. Providing personal care for much older grandparents and now parents has consumed much of my time. I have been generously compensated for this work, and I have been able to find time for historical projects that are the result of my history degree from Wake Forest and my incomplete graduate work in regional studies at Appalachian State. I consider myself to be an independent historian and scholar. I have been involved in many projects over the past forty years, including creating and managing the Raven Knob Boy Scout Museum at Camp Raven Knob (25+ years); and nominating and dedicating North Carolina highway historical markers for Tabitha Holton (North Carolina’s

North Carolina · 9d

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

State Health Plan and Atrium settle dispute. What it means for members' costs

The State Health Plan and Atrium Health have reached an agreement that keeps costs at all Atrium hospitals at about the same level in 2027 as this year. The deal follows months of public back-and-forth. The plan initially placed Atrium in its non-preferred tier, then agreed in September to move multiple Atrium locations — largely rural hospitals and its three children’s hospitals rather than its flagship hospitals — into the middle “access” tier. Atrium then launched a program promising members even lower out-of-pocket costs than those offered by the plan, which plan leaders said would threaten its finances. The plan sued Atrium and most recently moved most of its facilities out of network. State Treasurer Brad Briner, a Republican, said at the start of Tuesday’s board of trustees meeting that the plan and Atrium had entered into a contract to bring all current Atrium facilities into the access tier “through 2027 and beyond.” He said the agreement resolves the litigation and ends Atrium’s Affordability Protection Program, which Atrium had promoted as offering deeper savings than the plan’s preferred providers. He said it “preserves our members’ access to the largest hospital system in the state at net prices that our members

North Carolina · 10d

The Enterprise

partner publisher · 3.3K followers

State Health Plan, Atrium Health reach new contract

North Carolina’s State Health Plan and Atrium Health reached a multiyear deal adding all Atrium hospitals and physicians to the plan’s in-network Access tier.

North Carolina · 9d

sandhillssentinel.com

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FirstFutures expands to support students pursuing health care careers

FirstHealth of the Carolinas and The Foundation of FirstHealth are expanding opportunities for students pursuing careers in health care through FirstFutures sponsorships, a workforce development initiative designed to help students complete their education and begin meaningful careers at FirstHealth. This fall, 54 students are receiving FirstFutures sponsorships, which represents a...

Moore County, NC · 10d

mindfullyamerican.com

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3 Documents North Carolinians 65 and Older Need for the Homestead Exclusion

A property tax break is only as good as the paperwork behind it. North Carolinians 65 and older who qualify still need the right documents, and a missing one can slow things down. Here’s what to gather before you apply. Note: This is general information, not tax advice. Rules,...

North Carolina · 13d

whqr.org

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Atrium, NC State Health Plan reach agreement bringing health system back in-network

Atrium Health and N.C. State Health Plan leaders have reached an agreement bringing the sprawling hospital system back in-network for 750,000 state employees and retirees. N.C. Treasurer Brad Briner, a Republican, announced the agreement at the beginning of Tuesday's meeting of the State Health Plan Board of Trustees. "Against a...

North Carolina · 10d

The Fayetteville Observer

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Fayetteville mom says Medicaid rides keep failing her son

Amy Vanya of Fayetteville and her 6-year-old son have repeatedly been left stranded when their Medicaid transportation failed to show up. Her son, Logan, requires a wheelchair and is autistic and nonverbal. He has fine and gross motor delays, a permanent brain injury and hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone. He also relies on a feeding tube and has chronic digestive and feeding disorders that contribute to poor weight gain. His conditions require frequent medical appointments. Vanya, who has medical conditions of her own, is Logan’s caregiver. Because the family does not have a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, they rely on Medicaid transportation to get to appointments. But Vanya, a single mother of four, said rides have sometimes failed to arrive or have arrived in vehicles that cannot accommodate Logan’s wheelchair, resulting in missed appointments "For a family with a disabled child, accessible transportation isn't just about convenience," Vanya said. "It affects access to doctors, therapies, medical care and the ability to participate in our own community." Vanya said she's speaking out because the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg area is home to many families with children who have special needs, as well as disabled veterans who may rely on similar transportation services. What

Fayetteville, NC · 17d

spectrumlocalnews.com

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More than 1,000 hospitalized for respiratory conditions in N.C. this flu season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of North Carolinians are feeling the effects of this year’s cold and flu season. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, “there were 1,099 hospital admissions from the emergency department for people who were diagnosed with or had symptoms of a respiratory virus in the last week,” an increase from 1,069 hospital admissions the week before.

North Carolina · 13d