This week on The Debrief, we break down the latest on Helene recovery efforts and Lake Lure bridge safety, where rebuilding, public access and long-term infrastructure questions remain front and center. We also bring you an update on North Carolina’s budget process, examine the renewed push to abolish the US Department of Education and what it could mean for schools, and take a closer look at new legislation that would allow the state to regulate social media access for younger users, including proposed limits tied to “addictive” app features and age verification requirements.
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BCBSNC wins State Health Plan TPA, PBM contracts
In addition to voting on preferred provider hospital systems, benefit changes, and premiums for 2027 at its Friday board meeting, the North Carolina State Health Plan Board of Trustees also awarded the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contracts to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) effective January 2028.This will bring BCBSNC back as the TPA after a three-year hiatus. CVS Caremark is the current PBM for the SHP.
CNBC: NC in top 2 states for business for 6th straight year
The state ranked first in the economy, up from third last year; third in workforce, up from fourth; and eighth in technology and innovation, up from 13th.
Federal Appeals Court throws out contempt order against NC lawyer
The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a federal judge’s contempt order against a North Carolina lawyer involved in a multinational intellectual property dispute. Pressly Millen often represents Democrats in court.
State Health Plan OKs premium hikes, preferred providers
On Friday, the North Carolina State Plan Board of Trustees (SHP) voted on what are being called monumental changes to the Plan over the next few years, including preferred provider hospital systems, benefit changes, and premiums for 2027, and the announcement of a Third Party Administrator (TPA) and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) for 2028, in an effort to make improvements and reduce overall costs for the nearly 750,000 members covered by the Plan.