North Carolina is the most expensive state for healthcare in the country. The price of healthcare services, such as hospital visits, fees, and outpatient care, is the primary driver of those high costs. To lower healthcare costs for families, we have to lower the price tag of healthcare services.
Nearly a quarter of every dollar spent on healthcare goes towards paying for prescription drugs. Prices far outpace inflation, as Pharma's profits reach record highs. To lower healthcare costs we must lower the cost of prescription drugs.
Certificate of Need (CON) is a government regulation that restricts the number of medical facilities that can operate in a given area. In many instances, this limits competition that can improve quality and lower costs. Reforms are needed to North Carolinians can innovative, affordable healthcare.
Surprise medical billing is one of the biggest issues facing healthcare consumers. 1 in 10 Americans have been a victim of a surprise bill and medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy. Protections are needed for patients and families.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play a central role in the pharmaceutical supply chain. While PBMs get a bad rap, data suggest they help reduce prescription drug costs for consumers. The Affordable Health Coalition of North Carolina is committed to advocating for policies that will help lower drug costs for consumers.
Optimization Reviews are a tool used by Medicare, businesses, and private insurers to improve healthcare quality, safety, and affordability. These reviews should be efficient and ensure people get safe, quality, and affordable access to care.
High-quality, more affordable health plans need to be made available to North Carolina businesses, workers and their families. Too often government regulations get in the way.
Across the country, and right here in North Carolina, hospitals and entire healthcare systems joining forces to produce one massive conglomerate. It's a trend that is causing costs to go up and quality to go down.
Telehealth can expand access and lower costs through more efficient and cost-effective delivery. Government mandates pose the biggest threat to telehealth's long-term goals.
Hospitals have long pushed for legislative reforms that would allow them to have you sign over your insurance rights through an "Assignment of Benefits." An AOB would raise costs, increase out-of-network surprise billing, and erode quality.
