Healthcare

signed · North Carolina · Senate Aug 11, 2026

SB 445: Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.

SB 445 automatically adopts federal temporary waivers or modifications issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under specific Social Security Act sections (1135 or 1812(f)) for North Carolina hospitals during declared emergencies. This means hospitals in disaster zones no longer need separate state approval to implement federal rule changes, directly affecting hospitals operating under such declarations. Key provisions include automatically waiving state hospital regulations to align with federal waivers and allowing temporary increases in bed capacity without additional state review. The bill streamlines emergency hospital operations by eliminating bureaucratic delays in applying federally authorized relief measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates federal waiver adoption for NC hospitals in disasters, removing state approval barriers to maintain healthcare access during emergencies, directly supporting hospital operations under crisis conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

failed · North Carolina · House Aug 6, 2026

HB 832: Education Omnibus.

HB 832 revises North Carolina's school safety grant program to expand eligible uses of funds for training aimed at improving student well-being and safety. It allows public school units to fund evidence-based programs including suicide prevention training (CALM), trauma-focused therapies (like cognitive behavioral therapy), violence prevention, and peer mentoring facilitation. The bill specifically permits up to $350,000 in annual funding for these expanded services, directly affecting school staff, counselors, and students in North Carolina public schools. This change modifies existing grant rules without creating new funding or altering overall program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates up to $350,000 annually for school safety and mental health programs, expanding state funding for essential services under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school safety grant funding for mental health programs (CALM, trauma therapy) up to $350k annually, directly advancing student well-being and safety in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allocates $350k for mental health services (suicide prevention, trauma therapies) in schools, directly advancing mental health care under healthcare topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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failed · North Carolina · Senate Aug 6, 2026

SB 177: Continuing Budget Adjustments.

SB 177 expands North Carolina's Medicaid Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP) to include qualifying freestanding psychiatric hospitals, allowing them to receive increased reimbursements for services. The bill creates a new assessment (a fee) on these hospitals, calculated as a percentage of their hospital costs, to fund the program. To implement this, the state must seek federal approval from CMS to include psychiatric hospitals in HASP. This change directly affects all Medicare-certified, state-licensed freestanding psychiatric hospitals in North Carolina, requiring them to pay the new assessment while gaining eligibility for enhanced Medicaid payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new hospital assessment tax to fund Medicaid expansion, increasing state budget allocation for healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid HASP to include psychiatric hospitals with increased reimbursements, directly enhancing mental health service access and funding under Medicaid.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · North Carolina · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 1083: Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act.

This bill creates a voluntary program allowing businesses in North Carolina to contribute to portable benefit accounts for their independent contractors. The plan enables hiring parties to fund benefits such as health insurance, retirement, and disability through a third-party administrator, which helps contractors maintain coverage when moving between jobs. To encourage participation, the legislation allows businesses to deduct contributions as business expenses and permits contractors to exclude those amounts from their taxable income. Additionally, the bill includes a $100,000 appropriation to fund public education about the program, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a voluntary program allowing businesses to contribute to portable benefit accounts for independent contractors, explicitly enabling funding for health insurance coverage.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands worker benefits by creating a voluntary program for portable benefits for independent contractors, strengthening their access to health, retirement, and disability coverage.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 1200: Tax-Free Family Essentials Act.

HB 1200, known as the Tax-Free Family Essentials Act, removes the state sales tax on specific items including diapers, baby wipes, over-the-counter children's medication, prenatal vitamins, and feminine hygiene products. The bill directly affects families purchasing these goods by exempting them from the tax, while also clarifying the legal definitions of these items to ensure consistent application. These tax exemptions will take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all sales occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill removes state sales tax on essential family items, providing direct tax relief and reducing the financial burden on households.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes sales tax on essential health and hygiene items, improving affordability and access for families.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · North Carolina · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 349: Modify Health Care Powers of Attorney/Advance Directives.

HB 349 updates North Carolina's requirements for healthcare powers of attorney (POA) and advance health care directives (like living wills). It clarifies witness and notary rules to prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., prohibiting facility staff from witnessing), standardizes forms for easier use, and allows electronic filing of directives with the Secretary of State’s registry. The bill directly affects residents planning ahead for medical decisions, ensuring their chosen agents or instructions are legally recognized. Key changes include revised witness eligibility criteria, simplified form language, and a new online filing option to improve accessibility. The bill does not alter medical care standards but streamlines the legal process for end-of-life planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies witness rules and standardizes healthcare directives, strengthening patient autonomy in medical decision-making without conflicts of interest.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables electronic filing of health directives via Secretary of State registry, directly supporting electronic government services under 'INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY' and 'ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT' subjects.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · North Carolina · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 565: Limit Use of AI Medicaid/Commercial Insurance.

HB 565 ("Check Yes, Save Lives") allows North Carolina taxpayers to register as organ donors by checking a box on their state income tax return, starting with tax returns for 2026 and later. This directly affects all North Carolina taxpayers who file income tax returns, providing a simple, automatic way to enroll in the organ donation program during annual tax filing. The bill amends tax and organ donation statutes to add income tax return enrollment as a valid method for making an anatomical gift (under Section 130A-412.7(1a)), while keeping existing options like driver's license or wills. It requires coordination between the Department of Revenue and Motor Vehicles to update the Organ Donor Registry, ensuring the tax-based enrollment is properly recorded. The policy change streamlines donor registration without altering the existing organ donation process or eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSimplifies organ donor registration via tax forms, increasing donation rates and supporting public health initiatives in organ availability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · North Carolina · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 536: Physical Therapy Practice Act Modifications.

HB 536 modifies North Carolina's Physical Therapy Practice Act by establishing a new Board of Examiners to regulate the profession. The Board will consist of eight members (including a medical doctor, four physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, and a public member) appointed to oversee licensing, discipline, and continuing education requirements for physical therapists and assistants. The bill clarifies that physical therapy practice excludes surgery, chiropractic, or medical diagnosis, and specifies that the Board may investigate complaints confidentially while making disciplinary decisions public. This legislation directly affects licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the public by setting standards for practice, licensure, and professional conduct in North Carolina.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regulatory board to maintain physical therapy standards, ensuring quality care and professional oversight within healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 433: State Fiscal Recovery Fund/NC Pandemic Recovery Office Revisions.

House Bill 433 allows licensed registered nurses (RNs) to serve as school nurses in North Carolina public schools. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring a four-year degree for school nurse employment. It specifies that RNs with at least two years of experience in a hospital or health clinic can work as school nurses without needing additional certifications or licenses. These qualified registered nurses will be paid under the certified school nurse pay scale.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves degree barriers for RNs to serve as school nurses, expanding qualified staffing options without additional costs. Directly supports school staff accessibility in education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows qualified RNs to work as school nurses without degree requirements, expanding access to school health services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed both · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 727: Limit Medicaid Reimb. for Facility Fees.

HB 727 modifies the licensure process for marriage and family therapists and therapy associates in North Carolina. It streamlines the process for professionals licensed in other states to obtain a North Carolina license through reciprocity, making it mandatory for qualified applicants. The bill adjusts experience requirements and expands acceptable examination options to include California's clinical examination. Additionally, it clarifies that all applicants, including those applying via reciprocity, must undergo criminal history record checks. These changes aim to facilitate licensing for out-of-state therapists while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines licensure for mental health professionals, improving access to therapy services by reducing barriers for out-of-state therapists and expanding exam options.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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