Editor’s note: This is an update to information posted July 16, 2019. The managed-care rollout has been changed to one phase for the whole state in February 2020, rather than starting in November 2019 with some counties. Open enrollment is now scheduled to end on December 13 for all counties. The NC Department of Health and Human Services is in the process of implementing Medicaid transformation in North Carolina. The vision…
Medicaid Transformation: What You Need to Know
Editor’s note: This information is current as of July 16, 2019. Please note, a variety of factors may affect the timeline or other components of the transformation plan. The NCGA, state budget, and other system or administrative issues may create change. We will update this blog if substantive change occurs. The NC Department of Health…
Governor releases budget; NCGA begins budget process
Gov. Roy Cooper released his two-year $25.2 billion budget proposal, a 5.4% increase over last year’s enacted budget, with a clear focus on education, health care, and the state’s infrastructure. Among the highlights was a 9.1% average raise for teachers over two years, a one-time 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retired state employees, and Medicaid expansion….
Public Policy: Advocacy in 2019 and Beyond
One of the most difficult aspects of advocacy is looking at all of the barriers that one might face and believing, despite all of it, that change is possible. The Autism Society of North Carolina has from the start been dedicated to using advocacy to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and…
Call on Us in Your Time of Need
Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters, Our hearts go out to North Carolinians who are suffering because of Hurricane Florence. We know that thousands of people are being affected. Some have had to leave their homes and belongings behind. Some remain in their homes, but their lives have been disrupted by a lack of electricity, school…
Accessing Services in NC: Tips for Navigating the Maze
The Autism Society of America has given a conservative estimate of $3-$6 million as the cost of caring for one person with autism across his/her lifetime. At the same time, rising costs and changes in health care are coming almost every day, making it more important than ever for families to connect their loved ones…
NC General Assembly Adjusts State Budget
The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up its regular short session in late June after a quick seven weeks. Short sessions focus on adjustments to the budget and passing bills that were still under consideration for both chambers the previous year. This year’s state budget (SB 99 State Budget Adjustments) comes in at $23.9 billion….
URGENT: Tell Senators Not to Cut or Cap Medicaid
Congress plans to hold hearings Monday on a health-care bill that makes massive cuts to Medicaid, which includes funds for Innovations waivers, EPSDT services, and many other health and disability services. Analysis of previous health-care bills estimated that billions of dollars would be cut from Medicaid and 32 million people would lose health coverage, resulting…
Contact Congress about Health-Care Bill and Changes to Disability Civil Rights
Congress is back from its August break and has begun looking at various legislative actions that would affect people with autism and other disabilities, including changes to health care and to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate working on changes to Medicaid and individual health care The US Senate is considering a bill similar…