State officials outline next steps to spending federal funds to improve care in rural communities as lawmakers raise concerns about equity. Full story: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/20/r... #nc #northcarolina #ncpol #ncga #ruralhealthinitiative #rural

As health care costs rise, free-market advocates contend that CON laws stifle competition that could lead to lower prices. Hospital organizations disagree. #nc #ncga #ncpol #certificateofneed #freemarket buff.ly/21fnOAK

Despite compromise US House bill to extend ACA subsidies, Senate hasn’t reached a deal. Customers in NC seeing insurance premiums soar. Full story: buff.ly/sMgBAdJ #ncpol #congress #nc #aca #subsidies #healthinsurance #premiums

State officials outline next steps to spending federal funds to improve care in rural communities as lawmakers raise concerns about equity. #nc #northcarolina #ncpol #ncga #ruralhealthinitiative #rural buff.ly/b6QMNTP

Despite compromise US House bill to extend ACA subsidies, Senate hasn’t reached a deal. Customers in NC seeing insurance premiums soar. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #ncpol #congress #nc #aca #subsidies #healthinsurance #premiums

Despite compromise US House bill to extend ACA subsidies, Senate hasn’t reached a deal. Customers in NC seeing insurance premiums soar. #ncpol #congress #nc #aca #subsidies #healthinsurance #premiums buff.ly/sMgBAdJ

In North Carolina, a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Ciji Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers. Full story: buff.ly/zQI94rr #nc #northcarolina #abortion #abortionaccess

In North Carolina, a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Ciji Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #nc #northcarolina #abortion #abortionaccess

Should you get a booster if you’ve been vaccinated? What are the early symptoms of measles? Here’s what you need to know about measles now that it’s making a comeback. Full story: buff.ly/aj4vhE5 #measles #vaccine #measlesvaccine #health

In North Carolina, a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Ciji Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers. #nc #northcarolina #abortion #abortionaccess buff.ly/zQI94rr

Should you get a measles booster if you’ve been vaccinated? What are the early symptoms of measles? Here’s what you need to know about measles now that it’s making a comeback. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #measles #vaccine #measlesvaccine #health

Officials cautioned that rural communities are especially reliant on SNAP, with the program supporting more than 1.4 million residents and stabilizing local grocery stores and economies. Full story: buff.ly/BB7tP4W #rural #ruralcommunities #nc #northcarolina #snap #ncpol #ncga

Should you get a measles booster if you’ve been vaccinated? What are the early symptoms of measles? Here’s what you need to know about measles now that it’s making a comeback. #measles #vaccine #measlesvaccine #health www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/16/1...

Officials cautioned that rural communities are especially reliant on SNAP, with the program supporting more than 1.4 million residents and stabilizing local grocery stores and economies. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #rural #ruralcommunities #nc #northcarolina #snap #ncpol #ncga

NC faces tight deadline, high costs to implement Medicaid work requirement State officials warn of staffing, funding and technology hurdles as counties brace for added burden. Full story: buff.ly/C6URNCI #ncga #ncpol #nc #medicaid #medicaidworkrequirement

State officials warn of staffing, funding and technology hurdles as counties brace for added burden. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #medicaid #medicaidworkrequirement #ncpol #ncga

Officials cautioned that rural communities are especially reliant on SNAP, with the program supporting more than 1.4 million residents and stabilizing local grocery stores and economies. #rural #ruralcommunities #nc #northcarolina #snap #ncpol #ncga buff.ly/BB7tP4W

Pediatricians often spend at least 10 minutes of an already-short visit discussing vaccines. When the discussions don’t happen, the vaccinations often don’t happen either. Full story: buff.ly/ujiEEwU #childhoodvaccines #vaccines #pediatrician #shareddecisionmaking

State officials warn of staffing, funding and technology hurdles as counties brace for added burden. #ncga #ncpol #nc #medicaid #medicaidworkrequirement buff.ly/C6URNCI

Advocates have pushed for the detention center to reopen since it was closed in 2022. Despite broad agreement that a local facility would be beneficial, staffing challenges are the main barrier. #detentioncenter #juveniledetention #Mecklenburg #NC

Pediatricians often spend at least 10 minutes of an already-short visit discussing vaccines. When the discussions don’t happen, the vaccinations often don’t happen either. #childhoodvaccines #vaccines #pediatrician #shareddecisionmaking buff.ly/ujiEEwU

Advocates have pushed for the detention center to reopen since it was closed in 2022. Despite broad agreement that a local facility would be beneficial, staffing challenges are the main barrier. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #juveniledetention #detention #detentioncenter #Mecklenburg #NC

Advocates have pushed for the detention center to reopen since it was closed in 2022. Despite broad agreement that a local facility would be beneficial, staffing challenges are the main barrier. #juveniledetention #detention #Mecklenburg #NC www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/12/s...

Proposed changes to the federal definition of “waters of the United States” could strip protections from millions of wetlands, raising concerns about flooding, water quality, and state oversight. Full story: buff.ly/7OCIF3A #wetlands #water #nc

Health decisions affect your whole family. Our twice-weekly newsletter explains the health news shaping North Carolina, helping you make the best choices for the people you care about most. Subscribe today ➡️ buff.ly/zkI9b5X

Proposed changes to the federal definition of “waters of the United States” could strip protections from millions of wetlands, raising concerns about flooding, water quality, and state oversight. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #wetlands #water #nc

N.C. plans to keep its childhood vaccination schedule, which includes required & recommended shots no longer part of federal guidelines. Full story: buff.ly/m5d2rPW #vaccines #childhoodvaccines #cdc #ncga #ncpol

Proposed changes to the federal definition of “waters of the United States” could strip protections from millions of wetlands, raising concerns about flooding, water quality, and state oversight. #wetlands #NC #northcarolina #waterprotections #flooding buff.ly/7OCIF3A

N.C. plans to keep its childhood vaccination schedule, which includes required & recommended shots no longer part of federal guidelines. Full story: buff.ly/m5d2rPW #vaccines #childhoodvaccines #cdc #ncga #ncpol

Once sustained on shoestring budgets, peer-run mental health spaces are expanding across North Carolina as state and local leaders invest in programs led by people with lived experience. Full story at buff.ly/EQ2moZ1 #NC #peersupport #mentalhealth #northcarolina

THANK YOU!!! We raised more this year from individual donors (388 of them!) than any other year. This will help us enter 2026 stronger than ever, and focused on fulfilling our mission of breaking down how health policies ultimately affect you, your family, and your health.

The state plans to keep its childhood vaccination schedule, which includes required and recommended shots no longer part of federal guidelines. #vaccines #childhoodvaccines #cdc #ncga #ncpol buff.ly/m5d2rPW

Peer cafes like this one offer spaces where people can find support and help navigating housing and recovery. Research suggests they can prevent crises and lower reliance on emergency rooms and police response. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #peercafes #mentalhealth #peersupport

As more people with serious mental illness enter the criminal legal system, questions arise about “capacity to proceed.” NC Health News reporter Rachel Crumpler explains what capacity to proceed means. #capacitytoproceed #mentalillness #criminallegalsystem #nc #ncga #ncpol

PFAS, microplastics and what comes next for North Carolina’s water As state regulators weigh PFAS rules, scientists push for solutions that fit existing water systems. Full story: buff.ly/7XhbA6H #PFAS #microplastics #NC #northcarolina #waterpollution #pollution

Once sustained on shoestring budgets, peer-run mental health spaces are expanding across North Carolina as state and local leaders invest in programs led by people with lived experience. #NC #peersupport #mentalhealth #northcarolina www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/08/n...

PFAS, microplastics and what comes next for North Carolina’s water. Full story at www.nchealthnews.org #pfas #microplastics #nc #northcarolina #waterpollution #pollution

What to know before getting a service dog in NC: training, costs and red flags. Full FAQ at www.nchealthnews.org #servicedogs #dog #training #dogtraining #k9 #faq

As state regulators weigh PFAS rules, scientists push for solutions that fit existing water systems. #PFAS #microplastics #NC #northcarolina #waterpollution #pollution

NC state retirees challenged health plan benefit changes 13 years ago. They’re still fighting. Read the full story at www.nchealthnews.org #nc #nchealth #ncga #ncpol #retirees #statehealthplan

Experts share what assistance dogs do, the types of disabilities they support, and the role of reputable organizations in finding the right animal. #ServiceDogs #Disabilities #NC #DogTraining www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/06/s...

State agencies are appealing to the state Supreme Court for a third time to keep from covering the entire health care costs for retirees promised years ago. Full story: buff.ly/BFRlpwO #NC #NCPOL #NCGA #Health #HealthPlan #Retirees

From child welfare to climate: Top NC health stories to watch in 2026 NC Health News reporters share some of the top health care issues facing North Carolinians in the new year: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/02/h... #NC #NorthCarolina #Health #HealthNews #NCHealthNews

Our reporters share some of the top health care issues facing North Carolinians in the new year. #NC #NorthCarolina #Health #HealthCare buff.ly/wWDRG0T

Rate hikes paired with the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits will increase out-of-pocket costs for North Carolina residents purchasing health care coverage under the ACA in 2026. #AffordableCareAct #Insurance #NC #HealthCoverage www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/01/h...

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Coverage of mental health issues continues to draw readers to NC Health News. Other top stories you clicked on in 2025: capacity restoration jail programs, federal food aid cuts, State Health Plan changes, and Medicaid in the crosshairs. buff.ly/GtcJ0QX

Now more than ever, your support is vital. Invest in health news that makes a difference. Donate now ➡️ buff.ly/auR7nAj

You clicked on stories about hog poop, hospital executive salaries and changes in the state’s health care policies that had both positive and negative outcomes. The top five stories. #NC #NCHealthNews #HealthNews buff.ly/seMkoSt