North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Behavioral Health Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare held a ceremony today to celebrate the start of construction on its previously announced state-of-the-art, 144-bed behavioral health hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.

Key Points: 
  • ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare held a ceremony today to celebrate the start of construction on its previously announced state-of-the-art, 144-bed behavioral health hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231101651362/en/
    ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare Break Ground on Construction of a New Behavioral Health Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2025.
  • “We are pleased construction is underway for our new behavioral health hospital, and this moment marks another milestone in our effort to improve access to behavioral health care for the region.
  • It will be a beacon of hope for patients and families in eastern North Carolina.”
    To learn more about the partnership between ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare, visit ENCBehavioralHealth.org .

Duke Energy Progress receives approval for new rates in North Carolina, implements new programs to help customers

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023

Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.5 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina and in the Asheville region.

Key Points: 
  • Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.5 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina and in the Asheville region.
  • Duke Energy will also refer CAP customers to weatherization and energy efficiency services that can help provide long-term solutions to reduce energy usage.
  • For all customers, Duke Energy Progress has also established new time-of-use rate options and energy efficiency programs to help lower their costs and reduce energy use:
    Time-of-Use rates incentivize customers to shift electricity use to periods of low energy demand.
  • Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 29,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Governors may make good presidents − unless they become 'imperial governors' like DeSantis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

In fact, a 2016 Gallup Poll found that almost 74% of people say that governing a state provides excellent or good preparation for someone to be an effective president.

Key Points: 
  • In fact, a 2016 Gallup Poll found that almost 74% of people say that governing a state provides excellent or good preparation for someone to be an effective president.
  • But as the former executive director of the National Governors Association for 27 years, I have worked with well over 300 governors.
  • During that time I have been part of many conversations with governors regarding other governors running for president.

A dominant position

    • That experience often creates a false impression that what they did in their states they can do for the nation.
    • These are not exactly issues important to citizens of most other states and thus not useful as a foundation for a presidential campaign.
    • This is clearly reflected in a recent New York Times poll of Republicans, where only 17% supported an anti-woke campaign, while 65% supported a law-and-order campaign.

Significant power

    • Governors traditionally have more constitutional and legal powers than do presidents, particularly in terms of budgets and in cases of emergency.
    • Often, I heard these comments during discussions with governors at National Governors Association meetings.
    • Similarly, many governors can cut previously enacted state budgets by up to 5% without consent from the legislature.
    • Governors also typically have more power than presidents during emergencies.

Political prominence

    • Governors often are the dominant political force in their states.
    • They particularly tend to overshadow the legislative and judicial branches – which significantly limit the power of the president at the federal level.
    • Governors dominate the legislature, in part, because state lawmakers tend to have very few staff to help them – if any at all.
    • In addition, most state legislators are part time and may only be in session a few weeks per year.

A matter of timing

    • The last governor that I remember who reached imperial status was Scott Walker, Wisconsin’s governor from 2011 to 2019.
    • He ran for president in 2016 but withdrew after only two months because of his poor showing in the polls.
    • This year, in addition to DeSantis, five other former or current governors have declared they are running for president.
    • But most of them are not imperial governors nor at risk of becoming one.
    • In addition, many in his party believe he would have had difficulty in his bid for reelection.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Welcomes Victor Armstrong as First Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), is pleased to announce the appointment of Victor Armstrong as the organization's first vice president for health equity and engagement.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), is pleased to announce the appointment of Victor Armstrong as the organization's first vice president for health equity and engagement.
  • As vice president for health equity and engagement, Armstrong will be responsible for providing clinical and health equity expertise across AFSP departments, including the Programs, Communications and Policy teams.
  • Before this, Armstrong was the deputy secretary for health equity and chief health equity officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
  • As a health organization, AFSP is dedicated to equity in addressing the mental health and suicide prevention needs among underserved populations.

More Than One-Third of Medicaid Members Say Their Health Plan Didn't Reach Out About Renewing Coverage to Maintain Benefits

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 31, 2023

According to the survey, more than one-third of Medicaid members (35%) said their health plan didn't reach out about renewing their coverage to keep their Medicaid benefits for the upcoming year.

Key Points: 
  • According to the survey, more than one-third of Medicaid members (35%) said their health plan didn't reach out about renewing their coverage to keep their Medicaid benefits for the upcoming year.
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been three years since Medicaid enrollees had to recertify their eligibility to maintain benefits.
  • Specifically, 55% of Medicaid members age 65 and older say their health plan hasn’t reached out about renewing coverage.
  • A full 93% of those who said their health plan reached out about renewing their coverage felt their health plan provided the appropriate information and resources needed to complete the Medicaid renewal process.

Three Northwell Hospitals Earn CMS 5-Star Ratings

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Seven Northwell Health hospitals have received four-star or better ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – led by three five-star hospitals on Long Island – as part of its 2023 Five-Star Quality Rating System, which were announced today.

Key Points: 
  • Seven Northwell Health hospitals have received four-star or better ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – led by three five-star hospitals on Long Island – as part of its 2023 Five-Star Quality Rating System, which were announced today.
  • Northwell also earned four-star ratings at Glen Cove Hospital , Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco and Staten Island University Hospital .
  • Northwell, New York State’s largest health system and private employer, saw 11 of the 12 hospitals evaluated either maintain or improve their CMS standing since 2022.
  • “Northwell Health analyzes the results of each hospital’s CMS report each year, internalizes them, course corrects where needed and strives to reach higher,” said Michael Dowling , Northwell’s president and CEO.

First Lady Kristin Cooper Presents Family Champion Awards at Children's Home Society's reTHINK Permanency Conference

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023

GREENSBORO, N.C., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 15, North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper presented the Family Champion Awards recognizing social workers across North Carolina who work to strengthen families, build families, and advocate for families.

Key Points: 
  • GREENSBORO, N.C., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 15, North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper presented the Family Champion Awards recognizing social workers across North Carolina who work to strengthen families, build families, and advocate for families.
  • The awards were presented as a part of the reTHINK Permanency: Unlocking Pathways from Foster Care to Permanency Conference hosted by Children's Home Society of NC (CHS) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Held in Raleigh, the reTHINK Permanency Conference brought together family service professionals and advocates from across the state to explore permanency planning for youth experiencing foster care.
  • Conference participants attended keynote and breakout sessions to explore all paths that youth in care can take from foster care to permanency with family.

Center for Plain Language Announces 2023 ClearMark Award Winners

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 23, 2023

RICHMOND, Va., June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Center for Plain Language announced Thursday, June 22, the winners of its 13th annual ClearMark Awards. The ClearMarks recognize the best in plain-language communications—in English, French, and Spanish—from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies in North America.

Key Points: 
  • Health Literacy Media and Novartis: "Clinical Trial Results Summaries"
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: "What Does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?"
  • CommunicateHealth and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: "MyHealthfinder Tool"
    Winner: CommunicateHealth and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: "MyHealthfinder Tool"
    Health Literacy Media and Kansas City Health Department: "Tips for dealing with feeling lonely or isolated"
    Mission Partners and the Public Health Communications Collaborative: "Plain Language for Public Health"
    Winner: Health Literacy Media and Kansas City Health Department: "Tips for dealing with feeling lonely or isolated"
    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: "How Safe and Effective COVID-19 Vaccines Come to You"
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: "Worker Safety Matters When Working Near Power Lines"
    Autrement dit and Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: "Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Public Summary"
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: "Ladder Rung Infographic: Improving Ease and Safety with Smaller Rung Spacing"
    Winner: Autrement dit and Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: "Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Public Summary"
    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: "NCDHHS COVID-19 Response"
    National Genetics Education and Family Support Center, Expecting Health: "The Family Center Leadership Hub"
    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: "NCDHHS COVID-19 Response"
    National Genetics Education and Family Support Center, Expecting Health: "The Family Center Leadership Hub"
    Independence Insights Blue Cross Blue Shield: "IBX Insights: My Dad Got Scammed...Don't Let This Happen to You"
    Winner: Independence Blue Cross Blue Shield: "IBX Insights: My Dad Got Scammed...Don't Let This Happen to You"
    Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: "Health First Colorado Member Newsletter (March 2023)"
    Winner: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: "Health First Colorado Member Newsletter (March 2023)"
    Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at WMU–Law School: "A Durable Power of Attorney for My Finances"
    Winner: Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at WMU–Law School: "A Durable Power of Attorney for My Finances"
    CommunicateHealth and Les Turner ALS Foundation: "Genetic Testing Module"
    )ducaloi : La communication claire: aide-mImoire pour communiquer de l'information juridique de maniHre claire et efficace
    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: "Un Verano Saludable"
    Winner: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: "Un Verano Saludable"

Child Care Aware of America Names Susan Gale Perry as Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 5, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va., May 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a unanimous vote of the organization's Board of Directors, Child Care Aware® of America announced today that Susan Gale Perry will serve as the organization's next Chief Executive Officer.

Key Points: 
  • ARLINGTON, Va., May 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a unanimous vote of the organization's Board of Directors, Child Care Aware® of America announced today that Susan Gale Perry will serve as the organization's next Chief Executive Officer.
  • "It is a remarkable honor and privilege to have the opportunity to return to Child Care Aware of America as its next CEO," said Perry.
  • Child Care Aware® of America is a national membership organization that works with state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies and other community partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care.
  • Child Care Aware of America partnered with Koya Partners, an executive search firm that specializes in leading mission-driven searches, to conduct the national search.

Manatt Deepens Home-Based and Long-Term Care Capabilities With Prominent Health Leader in D.C.

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 4, 2023

“Innovation is a critical part of enhancing the health care delivery system, something Edo has brought to bear through his in-depth knowledge of health care law and policy across the industry,” said Donna L. Wilson , CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt.

Key Points: 
  • “Innovation is a critical part of enhancing the health care delivery system, something Edo has brought to bear through his in-depth knowledge of health care law and policy across the industry,” said Donna L. Wilson , CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt.
  • He advises on a variety of federal and state regulatory matters, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), fraud and abuse, administrative appeals, privacy and consent, and state licensing issues.
  • He also counsels clients on Medicare-Medicaid program integrity and overlap as well as on coordinating Medicaid home health partnerships.
  • “Over the years, Edo has worked with a wide range of health care stakeholders—ranging from payers and providers to states and academic medical centers—across government and law, building a thorough understanding of the complex long-term care landscape through various perspectives,” said Manatt Health Leader Bill Bernstein .