The proposed committee substitute (PCS) for House Bill 149 will increase access and lower healthcare costs for North Carolinians.
A North Carolina General Assembly proposal (House Bill 149) will increase access and lower healthcare costs. The Coalition SUPPORTS to this legislation. Specifically, House Bill 149 will: 1) Remove outdated government regulations that restrict highly skilled nurses from practicing at the full level of their education and training, thereby helping increase access and lower the cost to care. 2) Make multiple reforms to the state’s “Certificate of Need” laws, most of which are good and will go a long way in improving affordability and access. 3) Increase consumer protections against surprise medical billing. 4) Expand Medicaid. Unfortunately, the bill also includes a mandate that requires families and businesses, through their insurance premiums, cover (i.e., pay for) any healthcare service provided virtually if it’s covered in-person. Thankfully consumer protections have been added that guard against very real abuse, fraud, and quality of care concerns. It is essential that these consumer protections remain in the bill as it works its way through the legislative process. Actions related to this bill will be factored into a member’s Affordable Healthcare Grade at the close of the legislative session.
