Treasurer Folwell Will Update Status of Medical Debt De-Weaponization Legislation | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    (Raleigh, N.C.)     Treasurer Folwell will update the media on the status of the Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act (S321) that passed favorably out of four committees this week. It is currently calendared to be heard on the Senate floor Monday at 3 p.m.

    The bill creates a pro-family, anti-poverty consumer protection measures that strengthens hospital price transparency and limits the ability of large medical facilities to charge unreasonable interest rates and employ unfair tactics in debt collection. It does this by requiring health care facilities to develop a Medical Debt Mitigation Policy.

    A companion bill in the House (H367) has passed on first reading and was referred to Appropriations. Similar legislation passed the House last session with significant bi-partisan support.

    The Treasurer will also discuss the impact of the State Health Plan's (Plan) addition of nearly 10,000 new members in the Humana Medicare Advantage Plans. During 2023 open enrollment, the Plan emphasized to members the benefits of joining. The higher enrollment numbers will save the Plan about $47 million while still providing superior coverage. This savings is achieved because the Plan saves around $4,700 per year for each Medicare-eligible individual who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan versus staying on the Base PPO Plan.

    This will mark the 76th consecutive month Treasurer Folwell has offered media representatives the innovative opportunity to interview him on topics of their choosing.

    The Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to nearly 740,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, and their dependents.

    What: Treasurer Folwell's May "Ask Me Anything" conference call

    When: Tuesday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m.

    How: Microsoft Teams Meeting - Link here

    RSVP: Email: press@nctreasurer.com

    If you'd like to participate, please RSVP to press@nctreasurer.com to ensure that time is allotted for your questions. Full audio will be made available after the call.


   Contact:
   Email: press@nctreasurer.com
   Phone: (919) 814-3820