Below is this week’s Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) weekly update on policy changes and legislation related to COVID-19, local, state, and federal emergency orders. We recommend the following sources for daily updates, information, and help: NC DHHS COVID-19 page CDC COVID-19 page (Raleigh) News &Observer coverage of COVID-19 (some of which is available…
Weekly Policy Update: COVID-19 Policy Changes
Below is this week’s Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) weekly update on policy changes and legislation related to COVID-19, local, state, and federal emergency orders. For daily updates and information, we recommend the following sources: NC DHHS COVID-19 page CDC COVID-19 page (Raleigh) News &Observer coverage of COVID-19 (some of which is available to…
Weekly Policy Update: COVID-19 Policy Changes
The Autism Society of North Carolina will issue weekly updates, including calls to action, on policy changes and legislation related to COVID-19, local, state, and federal emergency orders. For daily updates and information, we recommend the following sources: NC DHHS COVID–19 page CDC COVID-19 page (Raleigh) News &Observer coverage of COVID-19 (which is available to the public without subscription) NC Council on…
Governor releases budget; NCGA begins budget process
Gov. Roy Cooper released his two-year $25.2 billion budget proposal, a 5.4% increase over last year’s enacted budget, with a clear focus on education, health care, and the state’s infrastructure. Among the highlights was a 9.1% average raise for teachers over two years, a one-time 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retired state employees, and Medicaid expansion….
Public Policy: Advocacy in 2019 and Beyond
One of the most difficult aspects of advocacy is looking at all of the barriers that one might face and believing, despite all of it, that change is possible. The Autism Society of North Carolina has from the start been dedicated to using advocacy to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and…
Accessing Services in NC: Tips for Navigating the Maze
The Autism Society of America has given a conservative estimate of $3-$6 million as the cost of caring for one person with autism across his/her lifetime. At the same time, rising costs and changes in health care are coming almost every day, making it more important than ever for families to connect their loved ones…
NC General Assembly Adjusts State Budget
The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up its regular short session in late June after a quick seven weeks. Short sessions focus on adjustments to the budget and passing bills that were still under consideration for both chambers the previous year. This year’s state budget (SB 99 State Budget Adjustments) comes in at $23.9 billion….
Update on changes proposed for Medicaid
Update, March 2021: If you are looking for more recent information about Medicaid Transformation, please visit this post. What is “managed care” and how is NC already managing the care of people receiving Medicaid? The federal government’s Medicaid program allows states to use health maintenance organization (HMO) managed-care models in the design of its…
NC DHHS Releases Plan for Medicaid Reform
The NC Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposed design for Medicaid managed care in North Carolina. The proposal gives individuals on Medicaid, families, caregivers, providers, and other stakeholders the opportunity to share feedback before DHHS submits a revised waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the fall….