Healthcare

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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signed · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 696: Medicaid and HHS Adjust./Other Critical Needs.

HB 696, the Health Care Practitioner Transparency Act, requires health care providers in North Carolina to clearly state their license type, certification, or registration in all advertisements and public representations. It prohibits deceptive claims about qualifications and bans unlicensed individuals from using medical titles like "doctor," "surgeon," or specialty terms (e.g., "cardiologist") to mislead patients. The law applies to licensed professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists, etc.) who advertise services, but exempts those in non-patient settings without direct care interactions. Violations could lead to disciplinary action by their licensing board, with daily noncompliance treated as separate offenses. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires accurate provider qualification disclosure, preventing patient deception and protecting consumer rights in healthcare advertising.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

failed · North Carolina · House Oct 23, 2025

HB 491: Medicaid Rebase Funding.

HB 491 prepares North Carolina's Medicaid program to implement work requirements if authorized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It requires the state's Division of Health Benefits to negotiate with CMS, notify oversight committees within 30 days of starting talks, and submit detailed reports after CMS approves any work requirements plan. The bill does not enact work requirements itself but establishes procedures for future implementation, including timelines for reporting funding needs. This would directly affect current Medicaid recipients if CMS approves work requirements, though the bill is procedural and conditional on federal approval. The legislation is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcarePrepares for Medicaid work requirements (restricting eligibility/access), enabling potential coverage limitations under CMS authorization, not advancing healthcare access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · North Carolina · House Sep 25, 2025

HB 693: Interstate Massage Compact.

HB 693 establishes the "Interstate Massage Compact" to create a multistate licensing pathway for massage therapists across participating states. It directly affects licensed massage therapists seeking to practice in multiple states and the public receiving those services. Key mechanisms include creating an Interstate Commission to administer the compact, enabling therapists to hold a single "multistate license" valid in all member states, requiring background checks and continuing competence, and allowing states to share disciplinary information and hold licensees accountable. The compact aims to improve public access to safe massage therapy while reducing regulatory burdens for therapists, particularly aiding military members and their spouses relocating between states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables multistate practice for massage therapists, improving access to licensed health services under healthcare licensing framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 479: SCRIPT Act.

SB 479, the SCRIPT Act, requires health insurers in North Carolina to allow patients to choose any participating pharmacy without restrictions. It prohibits insurers from imposing unequal copayments, financial penalties, or incentives that steer patients toward specific pharmacies. The bill directly affects insurers offering prescription drug coverage, independent pharmacies (defined as groups of 10 or fewer under common ownership), and patients seeking pharmacy services. Key provisions ensure equal treatment for all pharmacies in a plan and prevent insurers from limiting patient choice based on financial incentives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to allow patient pharmacy choice without restrictions or financial penalties, directly protecting patient rights and improving access to prescription drugs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 546: Medicaid Modernization.

HB 546 modernizes North Carolina's Medicaid program by requiring the state to develop team-based care coordination for individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders, including screening, medication, and recovery support. The bill also allows telehealth-only providers to enroll in Medicaid without needing a physical office in the state and mandates a statewide specialty plan for children in foster care or receiving adoption assistance, to be implemented by December 2025. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders, telehealth providers, and eligible children and families. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on the implementation of the substance use care and telehealth provisions by October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for substance use treatment via team-based care, enables telehealth provider enrollment, and mandates specialty health plans for foster children.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 1, 2025

SB 77: School Contracted Health Services.

SB 77 allows parents of students with disabilities to choose their preferred nurse for school-based nursing services required by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), provided specific conditions are met. The bill requires schools to assign the parent's chosen nurse if that nurse previously provided care to the student, the nursing agency agrees to contract under standard terms, and the rate matches other contracted nurses. This directly affects families of students needing nursing services under IEPs and ensures schools honor parent preferences without altering their obligation to provide a free appropriate public education. The policy applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables parent choice in nursing services for IEP students, enhancing educational access and support for children with disabilities within school health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables parent choice in school nursing services for IEP students, improving access to continuity of care and patient-centered healthcare access within education settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · North Carolina · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 576: Department of Health and Human Services Revisions.

HB 576 makes technical revisions to North Carolina's laws governing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It designates DHHS as the agency managing school nurse funds, requiring school nurses to focus solely on health services (like health education and emergency response) rather than instructional duties. The bill extends until June 2028 the temporary use of the federal health insurance marketplace for determining Medicaid eligibility, and clarifies that Medicaid coverage for people released from prison continues for up to 12 months post-release. It also updates Medicaid provider screening rules to align with federal standards, particularly for Indian Health Program providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends federal health insurance marketplace for Medicaid eligibility until 2028, ensuring continued coverage access; designates DHHS to manage school nurse health services focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · North Carolina · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 697: NC Genetic Counselors Workforce Act.

HB 697 establishes North Carolina's first licensure requirements for genetic counselors. The bill creates a 5-member Genetic Counselors Licensure Board (with 3 licensed counselors, 1 physician, and 1 public member) to regulate the profession. Key provisions include defining "genetic counseling," setting standards for licensure (requiring ABGC certification or equivalent), establishing temporary licenses for interns, and granting the Board authority to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses. This directly affects genetic counselors practicing in North Carolina, requiring them to obtain a license to legally provide services. The bill does not change healthcare access or funding but sets professional standards for this specific healthcare role.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure for genetic counselors, creating regulatory standards to ensure qualified professionals deliver healthcare services, directly strengthening health services and patient safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 590: Patient Safety/Medical Imaging/Radiation Therapy.

HB 590 establishes licensing requirements for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in North Carolina, directly affecting radiographers, radiation therapists, sonographers, and others performing these procedures. The bill creates a new "Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners" to set education standards, administer licensing exams, and ensure practitioners are "educationally prepared and clinically competent." It requires all non-licensed practitioners (e.g., radiographers, radiation therapists) to hold a state license before performing procedures involving ionizing radiation or medical imaging, with limited exemptions for licensed physicians. The law aims to protect patients by mandating standardized training and oversight for these technical roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards to ensure clinical competence of medical imaging professionals, directly enhancing patient safety and healthcare quality standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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