McBee
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
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’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.
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,...
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.
PEMBROKE — Youssef Houissa spent part of his summer trying to answer a question facing rural hospitals across North Carolina: How do you
North Carolina has among the longest emergency room wait times in the nation, a study has found.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners just voted to approve Atrium. Health, North Carolina’s largest hospital chain, merging with WakeMed,. a move that left some state officials “profoundly concerned.” North. Carolinians should share these concerns about hospital consolidation,. especially the estimated 71,650 residents diagnosed with cancer last.
CaroMont Health and Duke Health are partnering in an effort to bring two more hospitals to Mecklenburg County.
Gov. Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced funding earlier this month for “investments to improve mental health services” through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, totaling more than $17 million, according to a press release. This funding is a...
Medicaid, SNAP changes impact NC’s most vulnerable. Federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP requirements stand to jeopardize coverage for thousands of North Carolinians. The NC Department of Health and Human Services hopes to prevent that. Dr. Dev Sangvai, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services. 0:13:00.
Duke Health and CaroMont Health have submitted applications for state approval to build two hospitals in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, with the facilities potentially opening in 2031. The proposed hospitals would include a 120-bed facility in the University City area and an 80-bed facility in the River District, adding capacity...
As North Carolina drivers battle a wave of contaminated gasoline and illegal pump prices, state regulators are meeting this week to overhaul the rules protecting consumers at the pump. The North Carolina Gasoline and Oil Board will convene virtually on Friday at 9 a.m. to readopt and modernize Chapter 42,...
You don’t always have to visit a clinic to discuss a medical concern. If you have new symptoms or need continuing care for an existing condition, you may be able to speak with a healthcare professional by phone or video. Some providers also let you send readings and test results through secure patient portals.
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
North Carolina voters will decide a key race on election day — to represent the 1st Congressional District. But the district has a new look this year after Republicans in the state legislature redrew district lines hoping to turn this blue district red. Incumbent Don Davis is trying to...
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina has recorded its first flu-related death of the season, prompting Buncombe County health officials to remind residents that now is the time to get vaccinated. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Oct. 8 that an adult in central North...
Alignment Health is bringing Medicare Advantage plans to four more Charlotte-area counties for 2027: Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg and Rowan. The California-based insurer says a range of the new plans include a $3,000 annual dental allowance, and that the move reaches more than 295,000 people with Medicare in the new area. The coverage starts January 1,... The post Alignment Health brings Medicare Advantage plans with a $3,000 dental allowance to four Charlotte-area counties for 2027, reaching more than 295,000 additional beneficiaries appeared first on The Financial Wire .
Rep. Pat Harrigan argues federal rural health funding and his proposed REACH Act can expand care and address workforce shortages across North Carolina.
WNC Health News -- October 19, 2026: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–2027 season, prompting state health officials to encourage vaccination and other precautions as respiratory illnesses circulate this fall. WNC Health News -- October 19, 2026: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related...
