Health Care

Sympathy for ‘fetal personhood’ – the argument used in Alabama court’s shocking IVF decision – already exists in NC’s court system

By Patrick Zarcone / March 1, 2024 / Comments Off on Sympathy for ‘fetal personhood’ – the argument used in Alabama court’s shocking IVF decision – already exists in NC’s court system

The chances of a ruling like Alabama’s happening in North Carolina are not out of the realm of possibility, considering the conservative state Supreme Court’s increasingly political (and personal) actions and rulings.

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Trump, Mark Robinson share more than the stage at a Florida fundraiser – they also share a disdain for affordable health care

By Patrick Zarcone / December 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Trump, Mark Robinson share more than the stage at a Florida fundraiser – they also share a disdain for affordable health care

Donald Trump said he was “seriously looking at alternatives” to the ACA – the law that made Medicaid expansion possible. Speaking about Medicaid expansion in NC, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said he “hope[s] that it fails.”

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Medicaid expansion is now the law in NC – and Republicans are to blame for the 10-year wait

By Patrick Zarcone / December 1, 2023 / Comments Off on Medicaid expansion is now the law in NC – and Republicans are to blame for the 10-year wait

If Republicans like Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson had their way, North Carolina would never expand Medicaid. “I’m not in favor of Medicaid expansion,” he said, “I hope that it fails.”

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Finally! Medicaid will expand to 600,000 more North Carolinians starting Dec. 1

By Patrick Zarcone / November 17, 2023 / Comments Off on Finally! Medicaid will expand to 600,000 more North Carolinians starting Dec. 1

Exactly two weeks from today, North Carolina will finally expand Medicaid health care coverage to more than 600,000 North Carolinians. Health care advocates and Democrats pushed for more than a decade to expand Medicaid coverage.

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NC Republicans finally agree on a budget – and it’s full of right-wing priorities; teachers, state employees will barely get raises

By Patrick Zarcone / September 22, 2023 / Comments Off on NC Republicans finally agree on a budget – and it’s full of right-wing priorities; teachers, state employees will barely get raises

It took more than 80 days of secretive negotiations and an uproar over a move to tie Medicaid expansion to casino legislation, but Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly finally agreed on a budget on Wednesday afternoon.

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Rep. Tricia Cotham’s betrayal continues to harm the LGBTQ+ community she claimed to be ‘a champion of’ while campaigning

By Patrick Zarcone / July 17, 2023 / Comments Off on Rep. Tricia Cotham’s betrayal continues to harm the LGBTQ+ community she claimed to be ‘a champion of’ while campaigning

Since switching to the GOP, Tricia Cotham has shown she was lying when she said “I have been a champion of LGBTQ+ rights throughout my public service … I will stand strong against discriminatory legislation.”

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12-week abortion ban passes NC Legislature; Republicans who campaigned as abortion ‘moderates’ voted for ban

By Patrick Zarcone / May 5, 2023 / Comments Off on 12-week abortion ban passes NC Legislature; Republicans who campaigned as abortion ‘moderates’ voted for ban

Senate Bill 20 includes restrictions and requirements aimed at shutting down abortion clinics, makes it harder for a person to get an abortion even before 12 weeks and resurrects previously removed restrictions.

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Health care advocates, Democrats celebrate after Gov. Roy Cooper signs Medicaid expansion into law

By Patrick Zarcone / March 31, 2023 / Comments Off on Health care advocates, Democrats celebrate after Gov. Roy Cooper signs Medicaid expansion into law

It took more than a decade of work by advocates and state Democrats, but earlier this week North Carolina became the 40th state to expand Medicaid.

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Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

By Patrick Zarcone / March 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

The governor’s budget proposal calls for an average teacher pay raise of 18%, which would make North Carolina’s teacher pay tops in the Southeast, instead of one of the worst.

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Democrats in NC House, Senate introduce legislation that would codify abortion protections into state law

By Patrick Zarcone / January 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Democrats in NC House, Senate introduce legislation that would codify abortion protections into state law

North Carolina Democrats introduced legislation on Thursday that would codify abortion protections into state law. The move comes as Republicans are working on legislation to restrict the medical procedure even further.

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