Opinion
Government mandates are driving up healthcare costs in NC
Instead of top-down mandates, the state should encourage the use of existing tools like value-based arrangements and the sharing of data by providers.
News
Judges reject injunction in Cooper v Berger appointments fight
A three-judge panel has denied Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for an injunction blocking recent actions from the state Environmental Management Commission. The panel made that unanimous decision Friday after a nearly three-hour hearing in a lawsuit pitting Cooper against Republican legislative leaders. The decision also dissolved a temporary restraining order against the EMC that had remained in effect for a month.
News
Appointments fight between Cooper, lawmakers returns to three-judge panel
A lawsuit pitting Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper against Republican legislative leaders over appointments to state boards and commissions is heading back to a three-judge panel. A single judge made that decision Thursday morning after a court hearing in Raleigh.
News
Newby steps into appointments fight between Cooper, legislators
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby has stepped into the legal battle between Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders over appointments to state boards and commissions. A hearing in the case scheduled for Thursday afternoon has been delayed one week.
News
Legislative leaders want to shift appointments fight back to three-judge panel
Top state lawmakers want a court battle with Gov. Roy Cooper over appointments to state boards and commissions returned to a three-judge panel. Legislative lawyers filed a motion Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court asking for the transfer from a single Wake County judge.
News
Cooper wins court ruling against environmental appointment changes
Lawyers for Gov. Roy Cooper returned to court Thursday afternoon to fight recent changes in appointments to North Carolina’s Environmental Management Commission. A Superior Court judge granted Cooper a temporary restraining order blocking the EMC's most recent actions.
News
Legislative leaders ask court to dismiss Cooper’s appointments lawsuit
Top state legislative leaders are asking a Superior Court panel to dismiss Gov. Roy Cooper’s lawsuit challenging changes to appointments for selected state boards and commissions. The panel granted Cooper an injunction on Nov. 1 blocking changes for three boards.
News
Three-judge panel blocks part of new law in appointments fight between Cooper, lawmakers
A three-judge Superior Court panel has blocked part of a new state law that shifts some government board appointment powers from Gov. Roy Cooper to the Republican-controlled General Assembly or other executive officers. The judges granted a preliminary injunction against changes to appointments to the state Economic Investment Committee, Commission for Public Health, and Board of Transportation. Judges refused to block changes to the Environmental Management Commission and Coastal Resources Commission.
News
Follow the Money: The SAVE Act
The SAVE Act, (House Bill 218/Senate Bill 175) filed in the state legislature would allow nurses to practice up to their level of certification, with “full practice authority.” More than 25 other states have already passed similar legislation.
News
Expanding Scope of Nursing Could Save Billions
RALEIGH — Companion bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that would relax some longstanding regulations that require advanced practice registered nurses — nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists — to work with a supervising physician before they can provide a host of medical services and treatments. The legislation would let APRNs work more independently.
News
Stimulus-Funded N.C. Health Exchange Gathers Dust
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Health Information Exchange originally was charged with creating a state-level information technology clearinghouse to store patient medical records that could be used to expedite care and aid researchers and health providers across the state. Instead, few facilities and practitioners are using it.
News
Friday Interview: The Perils of N.C. Occupational Licensing
RALEIGH — Starting your own business can be tough, but it can get even tougher if you happen to be in one of the professions that the state of North Carolina has decided must have an official license. Examples include hair braiders and barbers. Carolina Journal has reported on the unintended consequences of state licensing rules. Managing Editor Rick Henderson discussed the issue with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.
