{"id":2324295,"date":"2024-08-14T10:04:57","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T14:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/all-eligible-north-carolina-hospitals-in-debt-relief-plan-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-14T10:10:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T14:10:05","slug":"all-eligible-north-carolina-hospitals-in-debt-relief-plan-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/all-eligible-north-carolina-hospitals-in-debt-relief-plan-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"All eligible North Carolina hospitals in debt relief plan &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fall-eligible-north-carolina-hospitals-in-debt-relief-plan-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2324295&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that all eligible hospitals in the state will participate in a medical debt \u2064relief program aimed at forgiving \u2064up to $4 billion in medical \u2062debt \u2063for around 2 million\u200c residents. This initiative, first introduced on July 1, is designed to assist low \u2064to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stimulus-update-deadline-to-file-taxes-for-rebate-of-up-to-400-in-virginia-only-weeks-away\/\" title=\"Virginia residents have only a few weeks left to file taxes and claim a rebate of up to 0.\">moderate-income individuals<\/a> who may be burdened by medical expenses due to unforeseen\u200c health issues. Cooper emphasized \u2062that medical debt is often an inevitable part of \u2062life and not a choice.\u2062 The program, \u200drecognized as the first of its\u200d kind in the nation, requires hospitals to opt\u200b in\u200c to receive enhanced payment levels through the Healthcare Access and\u200c Stabilization Program. They \u200dwill also\u2064 need to collaborate with\u200d organizations like Undue Medical Debt\u200c for \u200deffective implementation\u2064 over two years. \u2062This initiative, alongside\u200d a Medicaid expansion, could enable the state to access over $8 \u200cbillion \u200cannually\u2063 from the federal government. Despite this positive development, concerns regarding high hospital prices and transparency remain prevalent\u200c in \u200bNorth Carolina&#8217;s healthcare system.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">All eligible North Carolina hospitals in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minority-farmer-loan-forgiveness-program-to-allocate-4b-in-payments-as-part-of-american-rescue-plan\/\" title=\"Minority farmer loan forgiveness program to allocate B in payments as part of American Rescue Plan\">debt relief plan<\/a><\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1729994\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Monday that all 99 of the state&rsquo;s eligible hospitals have agreed to participate in a medical relief program.<\/p>\n<p>First announced on July 1, the program will forgive up to $4 billion in medical debt for as many as 2 million North Carolinians.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Unlike most debts, medical debt is not a choice. People don&rsquo;t choose to have accidents, cancer or heart attacks. This plan helps eliminate medical debt for low to moderate-income people in North Carolina,&rdquo; Cooper, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NC_Governor\/status\/1823416723296674228\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>said in a statement<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He added that he believes this program will be critical for families.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This first-in-the-nation program will make a difference in the lives of families across the state,&rdquo; Cooper said.<\/p>\n<p>Hospitals&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdhhs.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2023\/11\/27\/hospitals-across-north-carolina-receive-payments-part-medicaid-expansion-legislation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>must opt into the program<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;to receive an &ldquo;enhanced level of payment&rdquo; through the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program, which was approved by lawmakers last year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/north_carolina\/article_d8b73ee2-4df1-11ef-b1c4-0ba2856450d8.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>If any hospitals had declined<\/strong><\/a>, they would have just received a base level of payment for Medicaid reimbursement.<\/p>\n<p>The hospitals are required to partner with organizations like Undue Medical Debt to &ldquo;facilitate full implementation of medical debt relief over the next two years.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>This program, and the Medicaid expansion which was passed at the same time, will allow the state to draw more than $8 billion each year from the federal government.<\/p>\n<p>Kody Kinsley, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, applauded the program.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Medical debt is a disease in our health system,&rdquo; he&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KodyKinsley\/status\/1823102936446312883\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>posted to social media<\/strong><\/a>. &ldquo;With all 99 hospitals committing to debt relief and improving charity care programs going forward, this is a huge win for patients and the health of North Carolina as a whole.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Even while hospitals are opting into the program, there are still concerns about the hospital system across North Carolina.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shpnc.org\/documents\/north-carolina-hospitals-extreme-price-markups-failures-transparency-shoppable-hospital-services\/download?attachment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>A 2023 report<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;from the state treasurer&rsquo;s office reported on the &ldquo;extreme price markups&rdquo; and lack of transparency in North Carolina hospitals.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Widespread failures in price transparency have exposed North Carolinians to huge markups and extreme variations in hospital prices,&rdquo; the report stated.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, hospitals in the state charge up to 12 times the amount of other hospitals, the report said.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, the state is moving forward with the program,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdhhs.gov\/medicaldebt#Whowillbeeligibleformedicaldebtforgiveness-6193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>which will leverage<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;&ldquo;the state&rsquo;s Medicaid program to encourage hospitals to relieve existing medical debt.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Medicaid enrollees and other North Carolina citizens with incomes below 350% of the federal poverty level, or those with total medical debt owed to a participating hospital exceeding 5% of income, will begin having their debts paid off on Oct. 1. It will then continue for the next two years.<\/p>\n<p>Eligible debts include ones at least two years old, dating back 10 years, and hospitals have until July 1 to forgive the debts of Medicaid enrollees.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic candidate for governor Josh Stein has announced that he supports the program, which will likely require regular renewing.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Medical debt is crippling. @NC_Governor&rsquo;s plan represents a win-win, providing financial stability for hospitals and financial relief for North Carolinians,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JoshStein_\/status\/1823150750664433706\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Stein wrote<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;on social media. &ldquo;As Governor, I&rsquo;ll continue this program and explore more opportunities to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-calls-travel-lid-for-wednesday-an-hour-after-bobulinski-interview-airs\/\" title=\"Biden Calls Travel Lid for Wednesday an Hour After Bobulinski Interview Airs\">lower health care costs<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1729994\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1729994\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All qualifying hospitals in North Carolina are part of a debt relief initiative (The Center Square) \u2013 On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper revealed that all 99 eligible hospitals in the state have committed to a medical relief program. Initially introduced on July 1, this program aims to eliminate up to $4 billion in medical debt for approximately 2 million residents of North Carolina. &#8220;Medical debt is not something people choose; it arises from unforeseen circumstances like accidents, cancer, or heart attacks. This plan is designed to alleviate medical debt for low- and moderate-income individuals in our state,&#8221; stated Cooper, a Democrat. He emphasized the importance of this initiative for families across North Carolina: &#8220;This groundbreaking program will positively impact many families throughout the state.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>To benefit from an \u201cenhanced level of payment\u201d through the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program\u2014approved by lawmakers last year\u2014hospitals must opt into the program. Those that do not participate would only receive a basic payment level for Medicaid reimbursements. Hospitals are also required to collaborate with organizations such as Undue Medical Debt to ensure effective implementation of medical debt relief over the next two years. This initiative, along with Medicaid expansion passed concurrently, will enable North Carolina to access over $8 billion annually from federal funds.<\/p>\n<p>Kody Kinsley, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, praised the effort: &#8220;Medical debt is a significant issue within our healthcare system,&#8221; he shared on social media. &#8220;With all 99 hospitals committing to provide debt relief and enhance charity care programs moving forward, this represents a major victory for patients and overall health in North Carolina.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Despite hospitals joining this program, concerns remain regarding the hospital system statewide. A report released by the state treasurer&#8217;s office in 2023 highlighted issues related to \u201cextreme price markups\u201d and insufficient transparency among North Carolina hospitals. The report noted that some facilities charge up to twelve times more than others due to widespread failures in price transparency.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, progress continues with this new program aimed at utilizing \u201cthe state&#8217;s Medicaid framework\u201d as an incentive for hospitals to alleviate existing medical debts. Starting October 1st\u2014and continuing over two years\u2014Medicaid enrollees and other residents earning below 350% of the federal poverty line or those whose total medical debts owed exceed 5% of their income will begin having their debts settled.<\/p>\n<p>Eligible debts include those at least two years old dating back ten years; participating hospitals have until July 1st next year to forgive these debts for Medicaid enrollees. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein has expressed his support for this initiative which may require regular renewals: &#8220;Medical debt can be devastating,\u201d he tweeted about Governor Cooper\u2019s plan which offers both financial stability for healthcare providers and relief for citizens facing financial burdens due to healthcare costs.\u201d As governor, I would continue supporting such programs while seeking additional ways to reduce healthcare expenses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2324296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24085559491284-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[36742,33159,6126,32258],"class_list":["post-2324295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-debt-relief","tag-health-care","tag-hospitals","tag-north-carolina"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24085559491284-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2324295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2324295"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2324295\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2324296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2324295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2324295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2324295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}