Podcasts about state health plan

With the House and Senate still at odds over their tax plans, a new state budget likely won't be passed in time for the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. This week, the SEANC team discusses the implications of lawmakers leaving Raleigh at the end of the month without a deal in place. State functions and paychecks will continue without a new budget, but proposed raises will not be added until a deal is reached. House Speaker Destin Hall says they are committed to promptly getting state employees and teachers raises, so he's also keeping that in mind. We also look at the ongoing dispute between the State Health Plan and CVS Caremark.

Rep. John Torbett joined this week's edition of the SEANC View Podcast to discuss the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency work, which he co-chairs with Rep. Keith Kidwell. Torbett discusses in length the committee's aims, how it compares to the national DOGE effort led by Elon Musk, and the role SEANC and state employees will play in its work. Before the interview, the SEANC team discusses this week's House Commerce and Economic Development Committee meetings concerning a bill to invest 10% of the state pension plan in Bitcoin. SEANC lobbyist Flint Benson spoke out against the bill in the committee, telling members that Bitcoin is too volatile to risk state employees' retirement security. We also discuss the State Health Plan's expected premium increase ahead of Friday's meeting.

This week, we welcome SEANC Retiree Council Chairman Jamie Robinson and Membership Chairman Cliff Johnson to discuss State Treasurer Brad Briner's visit to the retiree council's latest meeting. We discuss the controversial bill allowing up to 10% of the retirement fund to be invested in Bitcoin, raising concerns about investment risks. The episode also delves into crucial topics such as transparency in healthcare and retirement system contracts, as well as potential tier-based premium increases for the State Health Plan.  

For the week of Jan. 20, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to N&O politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about what North Carolina and the country can expect in the first weeks of the new Trump administration. Some of the issues at play include immigration, taxes and the pressure to lower costs for Americans. After the break, Guinassi shares what she's learned from an interview with new State Treasurer Brad Briner, and what that means for the State Health Plan. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, the team dives into the contentious healthcare debate affecting state employees. Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sam Cline discuss the implications of proposed changes to healthcare premiums based on employee salaries, and the lack of transparency in provider contracts. The conversation sheds light on the challenges and assumptions faced by state employees and the actions needed to address these issues. The podcast also explores the controversial TikTok ban in the United States, examining its potential impact on millions of users, influencers, and small businesses. Discussing legislative actions and market implications, the hosts provide insights into how this social media disruption could reshape digital communication. Additionally, the episode touches on various cultural and political topics, including the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the ongoing challenges with wildfire containment in California. Tune in for a thorough examination of how these issues intersect with the lives of state employees and broader societal dynamics.

In this episode of The SEANC View podcast, SEANC President Kirk Montgomery discusses his visit to the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting, where he reiterated that state employees and retirees can't afford an increase in premiums. Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sam Cline delve into the latest happenings at the legislature and recap the latest news out of the election. The team also examines key power transitions, discussing changes in state leadership roles and their implications. They address legislative changes impacting election oversight, the governor's judicial powers, and education funding.

In this episode, Communications Director Jonathan Owens, Executive Director Ardis Watkins, and Communications Specialist Sam Cline are joined by Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote to discuss SEANC's outreach in public schools, community colleges, and universities. Lynn shares her insights on the current busy period for member relations, including our presence at various public school convocations as well as events at universities and community colleges. We also dive into the latest challenges facing the State Health Plan, including a significant financial shortfall and the recent announcement that state employees will not receive their December paycheck early this year, a change that has sparked concern among our members. We also delve into the upcoming SEANC Convention and state and national elections.  

Join Dr. Steve Schutzer as he discusses the groundbreaking work of Upswing Health in transforming orthopedic care. Discover how a pilot study in Connecticut with 25,000 State Health Plan members led to significant savings and reduced orthopedic encounters. Learn about Upswing Health's innovative approach, the impact of the Consolidated Appropriation Act, and the journey towards a more transparent and efficient healthcare system. Dr. Schutzer shares insights on overcoming industry challenges, the importance of resilience, and the role of technology in virtual healthcare. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the future of healthcare!

On this week's episode of the SEANC View podcast, Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and producer Sam Cline dive into the latest happenings amidst the relaxing backdrop of a thunderstorm. They discuss the state legislature's recess and its implications for state employees, including the 3% pay raise and the budgetary issues affecting the State Health Plan. The conversation also touches on innovative housing solutions for teachers in low-wealth counties and the broader housing crisis impacting state employees. Additionally, the team explores the potential political shifts, including rumors about Governor Roy Cooper's potential vice-presidential candidacy and the upcoming Republican National Convention featuring Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. Ending on a lighter note, the hosts share their varied opinions on fireworks, reflecting on personal experiences and considering their impact on pets and communities. Tune in for a mix of serious discussions and light-hearted banter!

In this episode, Communications Director Jonathan Owens is joined by Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley for an update from the legislature, including the ongoing budget negotiations and the impact of recent events on legislative activities. Our team discusses the complexities of budget allocations, vacancy rates in state government, and the importance of competitive wages for state employees and retirees. Next, we delve into the State Health Plan, the recent changes to the Medicare Advantage plan, and a call to action for members to contact their legislators about the budget process. We also touch on recent constitutional amendment proposals and their implications. On a lighter note, we share some amusing wildlife encounters and give a shout-out to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for their creative social media campaign "Raccoon Week."

Four law enforcement officers, including two members of an elite team from the Department of Adult Correction (Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott), died in an ambush while serving a warrant last Thursday in Charlotte. In this episode, we discuss the prevalent risks and sacrifices of these and other public workers daily.  We also discuss Gov. Roy Cooper's state budget proposal, released last week, which included pay raises, retention bonuses, and a bonus for retirees. We discuss a study highlighting the disparity between the cost of living in cities like Raleigh and the salaries of state employees, and how the N.C. Senate's bill to spend nearly a half-billion dollars on private school vouchers will impact funds available for raises and COLAs if it passes the House.  We also talk about potential DMV privatization and last week's State Health Plan and retirement systems meetings, including a major increase in premiums for the state's Medicare Advantage plans. 

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the Senate Finance Committee's version of the state budget, with provisos relating to property tax changes after the delay of 2020 Census data, State Health Plan insurance premium increases, and the 12-month break-in-service rules for retired police officers returning to work as school resource officers. They also cover the ongoing debate on the SC Ten-Year Energy Transformation Act.

WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie and WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran discuss a surge in teacher turnover in North Carolina public schools, and the end of coverage of weight-loss drugs by the State Health Plan. Plus, diversity, equity and inclusion in the UNC system could be in lawmakers' crosshairs this session.   

In this special election episode of the SEANC View Podcast, hosts Jonathan Owens and Ardis Watkins sit down with Rep. Wesley Harris, a Democrat who has been endorsed by EMPAC for the office of State Treasurer. Harris shares his views on the state's finances, the state treasurer's office's critical role in the lives of state employees and retirees, and his vision and strategy if elected. The state treasurer's office is responsible for managing the retirement system and the State Health Plan, both of which greatly impact state employee families. Harris speaks about the similarities and differences between his approach and that of current State Treasurer Dale Folwell.  Early voting has begun in North Carolina for the March 5 Primary.  

State Treasurer Dale Folwell joins a special Election 2024 episode to discuss his run for governor. SEANC Communications Director Jonathan Owens and Executive Director Ardis Watkins discuss his efforts for state employees and retirees as Treasurer and his unparalleled focus on pension and State Health Plan transparency. Folwell, who has been endorsed by EMPAC, SEANC's political action committee, for governor, shares his vision for North Carolina, touching on his approach to leadership — one grounded in conservatism, common sense, humility, and ethical decision-making. He contrasts his own style with Lt. Governor Mark Robinson and outlines his initiative to restore customer service culture within the state government.  

The Workplace Minute powered by H3 HR Advisors Sponsored by Paychex - one of the leading providers of HR, payroll, retirement, and software solutions for businesses of all sizes - learn more at www.paychex.com/awia. Hosts: Steve Boese Welcome to the Workplace Minute powered by H3 HR Advisors. A short, quick version of the popular HR Happy Hour Podcast, where Steve Boese takes on topics on Human Resources, HR technology, work, and the workplace. And more. In this episode Steve shares how the North Carolina State employee health plan has decided to end coverage of popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy, citing unprecedented cost increases. To listen to the Workplace Minute powered by H3 HR Advisors - add the Workplace Minute by H3 HR Advisors skill to your Amazon Echo device's Flash Briefing or Daily News Update. Learn more at www.h3hr.com and www.hrhappyhour.net

By a 4-3 vote on Thursday, the State Health Plan Board of Trustees voted to end coverage of GLP-1 drugs for the treatment of weight loss on April 1, including for those patients currently grandfathered in. The Plan will continue to cover the drugs in the treatment of diabetes. The vote came after a long debate over the drugs' cost and impact on the State Health Plan. Around 25,000 members currently take the drugs – five times as many as this time last year. Continued coverage of the drugs would result in a $48.50 increase in premiums for all plan members. In our first podcast episode, SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Communications Director Jon Owens dive into the topic. Why are these drugs four times higher in the US than in Europe? What's a PBM? Who is really to blame here? 

The North Carolina State Health plan covers more than 700,000 state employees, retirees, and their family members. There is discussion about dropping coverage of weight loss drugs which have skyrocketed to popularity in the past few years. The Board of Trustees is meeting to discuss concerns over the price of the drugs. WRAL reporter Destinee Patterson joins me in this episode to explain.   

Read the ProPublica article here. The post National report highlights the cruelty of Treasurer Dale Folwell and the state health plan appeared first on NC Newsline.

So, let's talk about North Carolina. What a weird outlier of the direction of other states getting active on their healthcare spend. I'm talking about Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin ... I'm naming so-called red states because the legislature in North Carolina is a Republican majority. Gotta say, normally I'm down for a little weird. I find it mostly charming. But with the information I have at present about what's going on in North Carolina, I don't love this for you. And when I say “you,” I pretty much mean any family who happens to live in North Carolina or any businesses in North Carolina trying to afford their employee health benefits right now. This whole shebang and the reason I'm covering this on Relentless Health Value is that it is also extremely relevant to anybody else in this country as a case study or a cautionary tale, depending on your point of view. So look, there's two pieces of legislation running through North Carolina's Senate and House right now, but both of these pieces of legislation—one that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is angling for and the other one that UNC, a big hospital chain in North Carolina is all hachi machi to get passed—both of these have precedents. Both of these things were done elsewhere, and the results were not great, to put it mildly. BCBS wants to be able to open up a holding company that is able to take BCBS policyholder payments and invest them in for-profit ventures—BCBS being a nonprofit and all. Here's a quote Chris Deacon mentioned on LinkedIn from an article on this topic: “A 2019 examination of the aftermath of 11 conversions of BCBS affiliates showed that fully insured premiums increased roughly 13 percent … suggesting a post-conversion exercise of market power. Significantly, rivals of these large converting insurers also raised their prices following the conversions.” And here's a link to a Health Solutions podcast with Cristy Gupton, Chris Deacon, and North Carolina Commissioner Mike Causey. So, that's one of the pieces of legislation on the docket. Then, on the hospital side of the equation, we also have a proposed bill that could give UNC Health Care a green light to expand and buy more physician practices and hospitals without as much oversight. Proponents of the bill say that this will better enable UNC to take over struggling rural hospitals in danger of closing. Considering that UNC has already taken over rural hospitals in danger of closing, not exactly sure how or why basically removing federal and state antitrust scrutiny is helpful here. I went around looking for evidence that if you reduce antitrust scrutiny and enable more unfettered consolidation and expansion that population health outcomes improve. I could not find any. I did find lots of great talking points, but all of them seemed a little light on the evidence. There is, however, an insane amount of evidence at this point that shows unfettered hospital chain consolidation harms local communities from a financial standpoint without improving the quality or outcomes of patient populations, especially when hospital chains, in conjunction with third-party payers, are not willing to share their pricing, even with their largest customer. But I'm getting ahead of myself, because this is exactly what I'm talking about in this 2019 interview with Dale Folwell, the state treasurer of North Carolina. And it is a doozie of a frustrating story, just to cut to the chase. Look, you might be able to hear I definitely have an opinion formed on this topic, and I don't want to sway yours until you look into all of this yourself. But I loved what Jeff Leston wrote the other day. He wrote, “The North Carolina Legislature proves that they report to the healthcare industry in the State, not the people who actually elected them.” Okay … teeing up the interview today, this whole thing started when the North Carolina State Employees Health Plan (SEHP) crafted a proposal to pay network hospitals based on a transparent pricing schedule. Considering that SEHP purchases benefits for 720,000 people in North Carolina at a cost to taxpayers of billions of dollars, this seems reasonable. When you're the fiduciary of thousands of dollars, let alone add six more zeros, it would seem to be nonnegotiable to actually see the numbers and not write a check to a black box. Nonetheless, a few of North Carolina's largest hospital chains disagreed. They wanted to bill whatever they wanted to bill shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. In this healthcare podcast, as I mentioned earlier, I am speaking with North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell. This is a rebroadcast from an interview in 2019 but still, somewhat sadly, completely relevant.   You can learn more at nctreasurer.com. You can also connect with Treasurer Folwell on Twitter at @DaleFolwell or on Facebook at Dale Folwell.     Dale R. Folwell, CPA, was sworn in as State Treasurer of North Carolina in January 2017. As the keeper of the public purse, Treasurer Folwell is responsible for a $100 billion state pension fund that provides retirement benefits for more than 900,000 teachers, law enforcement officers, and other public workers. Under Treasurer Folwell's leadership, the pension plan was rated among the top five highest funded in the country and won accolades for proactive management and funding discipline. In 2018, the state's coveted AAA bond rating was reaffirmed by every major rating agency, making North Carolina one of only 13 states in the country to hold that distinction. Treasurer Folwell also oversees the State Health Plan, which provides medical and pharmaceutical benefits to more than 720,000 current and retired public employees and is the largest purchaser of healthcare in North Carolina. Folwell was first elected to public office as a member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education. He brought his problem-solving skills to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2004, where he served four terms in the House of Representatives, including one term as Speaker Pro Tempore. Treasurer Folwell began his career as a blue-collar worker and became a Certified Public Accountant and investment advisor after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from UNC-Greensboro.   05:59 The North Carolina state spend on healthcare. 07:21 “In medical terms, why has this become acute?” 08:00 One week of work for starting North Carolina troopers and teachers out of every four is going to family healthcare costs. 09:14 The problem of health insurance vs healthcare. 09:59 “If they can do this to the largest customers in this state … imagine what they can do to them.” 10:20 “This is about the industry whose whole business model is based on secrecy.” 11:47 “We've already focused on the why, and now we're [focusing] on the how.” 12:46 “We're trying to attack a problem.” 15:46 What the Clear Pricing Project aims to do. 18:08 “We're not trying to be disruptive; we're trying to fix a problem.” 19:55 Why the Clear Pricing Project went the self-insured route and how that's worked for them. 24:14 Who's behind the institutions fighting transparent pricing in North Carolina. 25:15 Instances where the Clear Pricing Project could actually stand to help rural hospitals make more money. 27:29 Dale's advice for other states trying to do this. 28:49 Dale's message to healthcare providers out there who want to see this change to price transparency.   You can learn more at nctreasurer.com. You can also connect with Treasurer Folwell on Twitter at @DaleFolwell or on Facebook at Dale Folwell.   @DaleFolwell discusses #financialtoxicity in #healthcare on our #healthcarepodcast. #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Eric Gallagher, Dr Suhas Gondi, Dr Rachel Reid, Dr Amy Scanlan, Peter J. Neumann, Stacey Richter (EP400), Dawn Cornelis (Encore! EP285), Stacey Richter (EP399), Dr Jacob Asher, Paul Holmes  

The post Rose Hoban of North Carolina Health News discusses NC's chances for Medicaid expansion, abortion restrictions, and changes on the horizon for the state health plan appeared first on NC Policy Watch.

In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 16, 2023, News & Observer politics reporter and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with health reporter Teddy Rosenbluth and politics reporter Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about the latest developments with changing from Blue Cross NC to Aetna in the State Health Plan. Plus the start of the NCGA session and Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer: Laura Brache Audio editor: Laura Brache Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The post Public deserves more information about state Treasurer's plan to switch state health plan administrators appeared first on NC Policy Watch.

This episode features Matthew Rish, Senior Director of Finance, Planning & Analytics at NC State Health Plan. Here, he discuss his background and current role with the NC State Health Plan, top issues he's focused on, how he is looking at growth & investments in the next 2 years, and more.

This episode features Matthew Rish, Senior Director of Finance, Planning & Analytics at NC State Health Plan. Here, he discuss his background and current role with the NC State Health Plan, top issues he's focused on, how he is looking at growth & investments in the next 2 years, and more.

Joannie Nickel, Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the impact of the state's budget for cities and towns. Key points include a full funding for the Local Government Fund, funding for PTSD assistance for first responders, body cameras and vests for police and the Firefighter Cancer Fund. The budget also creates increases in retirement system and State Health Plan contributions, and changes to return-to-work rules for SCRS and PORS members.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the Senate Finance Committee's approval of the state budget, the 18.1% increase in employer contributions to the State Health Plan, the election bill that would shorten the municipal election certification period and create an early voting period, and the bills that would allow post-traumatic stress disorder as a reason for public safety officials to file worker's compensation claims.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the General Assembly's budget work, including the increase to State Health Plan employer contributions; the bill that would allow counties to place commercial property nuisance abatement costs on property tax bills; the bills that would cut taxes, and legislative action on law enforcement reform.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the election reform bill that would expand early voting, the proposed budget proviso that would increase State Health Plan employer premiums, the tax cut bill and the Association's testimony about following the law on increasing Local Government Fund allocations.

About the Guests Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding, and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Heather has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity's first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Patrick Torres is RLT's Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Candis Cox is a Gender and Sexuality educator, lecturer, and advocate for the LGBTQ community in Raleigh NC, where she lives with her husband, and throughout the country. Originally from Syracuse NY, she relocated to Raleigh to attend NC State University where she obtained a BA in Sociology. Originally scheduled to attend Campbell law school, she instead chose to focus on becoming her authentic self, completing her gender transition in 2003. Candis serves on the Board of Directors for EqualityNC, works with HRC (Human Rights Campaign), and works by speaking at events, businesses, schools, and other organizations to educate on Gender and Sexuality. Candis has been featured in a number of http://www.candiscox.com/category/press/ (news specials), has been interviewed by news networks across the globe, and is, to date, the only transgender person to have met with the current http://www.candiscox.com/press/in-meeting-with-north-carolina-gov-mccrory-lgbt-equality-advocates-demand-repeal-of-anti-lgbt-law/ (Governor Pat McCrory) to discuss his anti-LGBT “bathroom bill” H.B.2.   Links https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway Support this podcast

About the Guests Patrick Torres is RLT's Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort, and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Heather has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity's first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Links https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web https://my.captivate.fm/www.beltlinetobroadway.org (www.beltlinetobroadway.org) Support this podcast

Maxwell Kadel v. N.C. State Health Plan

About the Guests Jeff. A. R. Jones has served as Resident Designer for Carolina Ballet for 17 years where he designed sets and/or costumes for many of the company's original works beginning with the company’s first new work, Dancers in a Gypsy Style, and continuing with such shows as Messiah, The Kreutzer Sonata, Carmen, Cabaret and Des Images. He created the scenery for Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Firebird, Tempest Fantasy, Dracula and The Little Mermaid among many others. He has designed throughout the southeast at theatres including Playhouse on the Square, Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Conservatory Theatre, and TheatreWorks.  As a Fight Director, he has staged fights for ballet, dance, theatre, opera, film, and television over the past 20 years.  He has taught classes at Florida State, Asolo Conservatory, Duke University, and is currently faculty at Elon University and William Peace University.  He holds the titles of Fight Director, Certified Teacher, and Instructor of Theatrical Firearms with the Society of American Fight Directors.  Mr. Jones has a Bachelor’s degree from William & Mary and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding, and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Strickland has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity’s first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Tara Nicole Williams is an actor, educator, and combat artist raised, right here, in Raleigh, NC. She has trained with the https://safd.org/ (Society of American Fight Directors) for the last 10 years, specializing in German Longsword and high fantasy choreography. She has also facilitated the introduction of intimacy choreography to the Triangle community; organizing workshops and special events. Currently, she is pursuing her Intimacy Director status with https://www.teamidi.org/theatre (Intimacy Directors International). Along with her own training, she manages the https://www.facebook.com/stagecombatacademync/ (Stage Combat Academy of North Carolina), assisting Fight Director Jeff A.R. Jones. Tara also teaches stage combat, acting, and movement with universities, schools, and organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. Her work focuses on empowering actors to own their unique physicality – using movement to tell intricate stories. Most recently she has appeared on stage in Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, for which she won a Cantey Award as Suzette. Tara is currently in Honest Pint Theatre’s production of THE METROMANIACS as Lucille. Her previous fight/intimacy choreography credits include: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE (Honest... Support this podcast

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. This week's podcast features Ronnie Chatterji, a Duke University business and public policy professor who is running for N.C. Treasurer. The Durham resident says he'll work on improving investment returns for the state's $110 billion retirement system and collaborate with physicians and hospitals to reduce costs and improve care for N.C. State Health Plan members. Chatterji was a senior economist in the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama Administration. He has a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. This week's podcast features Dale Folwell, who is running for a second term as N.C. Treasurer. Folwell served on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education and four terms in the N.C. General Assembly before winning his current statewide post in 2016. He discusses his stewardship of the state's $108 billion retirement system and his efforts to reduce health care costs for more than 700,000 employees and retirees who are members of the State Health Plan.

May 5, 2020While the economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is going to be a long and gradual process, there are large organizations currently working to help where they can in easing this process along. One of the organizations that has stepped up in a big way is UnitedHealthcare who have provided more than $70 million directly to the global community since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Lawton, Chief Executive Officer of the UnitedHealthcare Community and State Health Plan of Florida, spoke on the organization contributing two $500,000 donations to two Florida agencies, Feeding Florida and the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. For more information, visit: https://www.uhc.com/

In this episode: Over the weekend, North Carolina's unemployment system logged it's 1 millionth claim since the COVID-19 shutdowns began, but what's being done to help workers who're out of a job? The state DOT's cash reserve has fallen below the $293 million minimum set by state law, so don't expect to see any new road projects any time soon; Wake County Commissioners planned a meeting today to discuss how to funnel some $5 million in federal stimulus money to small NC businesses in need during the pandemic; the State Health Plan has abandoned plans for mass testing of workers at state prisons, citing logistical challenges that could not be overcome; and finally, a smile for your Monday as an Asheville man donates his entire stimulus check to help hard-to-adopt dogs find their forever homes.

Tyler Cowan has a great piece explaining the divergent opinion on the coronavirus, The bull market officially ends as The Dow falls 20% from its high last month, and State Treasurer Dale Folwell joins the program to talk the State Health Plan

The North Carolina State Employees Health Plan (SEHP) crafted a proposal called the Clear Pricing Project. The Clear Pricing Project proposed to pay network hospitals based on a transparent price schedule. Considering that SEHP purchases benefits for something like 720,000 people in North Carolina at a cost to taxpayers of billions of dollars, this seems reasonable. When you’re the fiduciary for thousands of dollars, let alone add six more zeros, it would seem to be non-negotiable to actually see the numbers and not write a check to a black box. Nonetheless, a few of North Carolina’s largest hospital chains disagreed. They want to bill whatever they want and to do so shrouded by a cloak of secrecy. I don’t want to put words in anyone’s mouth, but it appears that the CFOs and CEOs of these hospital systems don’t believe that the treasurer of the state has a right to see what he’s spending taxpayer money on. And these CFOs and CEOs have expressed their position with a brutal onslaught of personal attacks against the North Carolina Treasurer’s office. I feel like this episode needs a trigger warning. As David Contorno, also from North Carolina, has said on this podcast (EP186), the only way to pay less for health care is to pay less for health care. It’s hard to do that if you don’t know how much you’re paying. It just blows my mind when all across this country, financial toxicity is reducing health outcomes while nonprofit health systems—excluding some of the rural ones—are yanking in record profits, and employers and public entities are not messing around when they say that health care prices are an existential threat.  Let’s all get on the same side of this issue, please. Ultimately, it’s everyone’s responsibility to do the right thing right now. In this health care podcast, I am speaking with North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell. You can learn more at nctreasurer.com.  You can also connect with Treasurer Folwell on Twitter at @DaleFolwell or on Facebook at Dale Folwell.   Dale R. Folwell, CPA, was sworn in as State Treasurer of North Carolina in January 2017. As the keeper of the public purse, Treasurer Folwell is responsible for a $100 billion state pension fund that provides retirement benefits for more than 900,000 teachers, law enforcement officers, and other public workers. Under Treasurer Folwell’s leadership, the pension plan was rated among the top five highest funded in the country and won accolades for proactive management and funding discipline. In 2018, the state’s coveted AAA bond rating was reaffirmed by every major rating agency, making North Carolina one of only 13 states in the country to hold that distinction. Treasurer Folwell also oversees the State Health Plan, which provides medical and pharmaceutical benefits to more than 720,000 current and retired public employees and is the largest purchaser of health care in North Carolina. Folwell was first elected to public office as a member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education. He brought his problem-solving skills to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2004, where he served four terms in the House of Representatives, including one term as Speaker Pro Tempore. Treasurer Folwell began his career as a blue-collar worker and became a Certified Public Accountant and investment adviser after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from UNC-Greensboro. Married for more than 30 years, he and his wife Synthia have three children and live in Winston-Salem. 02:51 The North Carolina state spend on health care. 04:14 “In medical terms, why has this become acute?” 04:53 One week of work for starting North Carolina troopers and teachers out of every four is going to family health care costs. 06:05 The problem of health insurance vs health care. 06:51 “If they can do this to the largest customers in this state … imagine what they can do to them.” 07:13 “This is about the industry whose whole business model is based on secrecy.” 08:44 “We’ve already focused on the why, and now we’re [focusing] on the how.” 09:48 “We’re trying to attack a problem. The problem is that none of [them] consume health care; it all consumes them.” 13:07 What the Clear Pricing Project aims to do. 13:37 “Why is it that we don’t have trust in the people of this … country to actually consume and evaluate the value and cost of things in health care when they are able, very successfully, to evaluate the value and cost of everything else in their life?” 16:31 “We’re not trying to be disruptive; we’re trying to fix a problem.” 18:25 Why the Clear Pricing Project went the self-insured route and how that’s worked for them. 23:34 Who’s behind the institutions fighting transparent pricing in North Carolina. 24:49 Instances where the Clear Pricing Project could actually stand to help rural hospitals make more money. 27:15 Dale’s advice for other states trying to do this. 28:52 Dale’s message to health care providers out there who want to see this change to price transparency. You can learn more at nctreasurer.com.  You can also connect with Treasurer Folwell on Twitter at @DaleFolwell or on Facebook at Dale Folwell. Check out this week’s #healthcarepodcast with @DaleFolwell. #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance What’s the NC state spend on health care? @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “In medical terms, why has this become acute?” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “If they can do this to the largest customers in this state … imagine what they can do to them.” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “This is about the industry whose whole business model is based on secrecy.” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “We’ve already focused on the why, and now we’re [focusing] on the how.” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “We’re trying to attack a problem. The problem is that none of [them] consume health care; it all consumes them.” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance What does the Clear Pricing Project aim to do? @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “Why is it that we don’t have trust in the people of this … country to actually consume and evaluate the value and cost of things in health care when they are able, very successfully, to evaluate the value and cost of everything else in their life?” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance “We’re not trying to be disruptive; we’re trying to fix a problem.” @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance How has the self-insured route worked for the Clear Pricing Project? @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance How could the Clear Pricing Project actually stand to benefit #ruralhospitals? @DaleFolwell discusses in our episode. #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #hcmkg #healthcarepricing #pricetransparency #healthcarefinance

N.C. policymakers recently learned that state government ended its last budget year in June with a revenue surplus of nearly $900 million. Meanwhile, Gov. Roy Cooper wants the state to borrow more money as it increases spending in the new budget year and beyond. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, places those facts in the broader context of North Carolina’s fiscal picture. State Treasurer Dale Folwell has seen pushback from large medical providers as he has proceeded with his Clear Pricing Project for the State Health Plan. It serves government workers and retirees. Folwell discusses the project and explains why it’s necessary for the health plan’s long-term viability. North Carolina’s Read to Achieve program recently faced an attack from N.C. House Minority Leader Darren Jackson, D-Wake. You’ll hear Jackson’s comments, along with a response from a Republican House colleague. N.C. lawmakers have debated the pros and cons of legalized smokable hemp. You’ll hear highlights from committee debate about the hemp. Growers and law enforcement interests clash over whether legalized smokable hemp generates more benefits than costs. Most us know that certain drugs are illegal. Far fewer of us know that North Carolinians are expected to pay taxes on their illegal drugs. Brenee Goforth, marketing and communications associate at the John Locke Foundation, discusses the state’s unauthorized substances tax. Authorities can seize property to force people to pay the tax. It generates $6 million to $11 million each year for state government.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's Weekly Roundup, a podcast bringing you some of the state's biggest and most interesting business news stories from the week. On this episode, we talk about changes to Treasurer Dale Folwell's State Health Plan after a months-long battle with North Carolina's major hospital systems and our August issue coverage of Attorney General Josh Stein's ongoing legal battle with Juul Labs Inc.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell discusses the recent deadline that has passed for Hospitals to sign up for the new State Health Plan, why the hospitals continue to resist, the automatic premium increases that will happen if nothing is done, and what can possibly happen moving forward. Rents are rising in Wilmington faster than wage growth, and Terrorist are terrorists, whether they white supremacists, radical islamists, or anti-government separatists pretending that ideology matters is damaging to society

The North Carolina State Health Plan is managed by the State Treasurer of North Carolina Dale Folwell. His office has been engaged in a bitter battle with the state’s hospitals and healthcare networks over pricing and the contract dispute has more than 700,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents caught in the middle. This week we talk to Treasurer Dale Folwell about his plans and we meet two educators very concerned about the impact this fight could have on them and their families. Guests: • Dale Folwell, Treasurer, State of North Carolina • Susan Ringo, Librarian, Wilkes County Schools • Mike Landers, Teacher, Cabarrus County Schools

Sniping over the state budget and the new pricing structure for the State Health Plan are among the topics discussed.

The political fallout from the federal corruption case involving a mega-donor, a battle between two large lobbying groups over the State Health Plan and sheriffs who don't like to be told what to do are among the topics discussed.

Gov. Roy Cooper recommends average 9 percent public school teacher pay raises and a $3.9 billion bond package in his latest budget plan. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, analyzes Cooper’s proposals and highlights key pros and cons. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton garner more attention, but James Wilson also played a significant role as an American Founder. Jim Zink, associate professor N.C. State University, has studied Wilson’s impact on the U.S. Constitution. Zink shares details of his research. State Treasurer Dale Folwell is running into opposition as he tries to change the prices the State Health Plan pays for health care services. You’ll hear debate surrounding Folwell’s presentation of his plan to a state House committee. Longtime conservative commentator and prominent Donald Trump critic William Kristol will spend the fall teaching ethics at Davidson College. During a recent speech at Davidson, Kristol highlighted some top ethical issues in today’s political landscape. Residents of North Carolina’s 3rd and 9th Congressional Districts have had no representation in Congress this year. But state officials have scheduled special elections to fill both congressional vacancies. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, reminds us of the circumstances surrounding each election. He tells us when residents should know who will represent them on Capitol Hill.

The State Treasurer of North Carolina has broad responsibilities over the finances of the state that have big implications for public education including state employee retirement and pension plans, the State Health Plan and how the state finances school construction. This week we talk with State Treasurer Dale Folwell about these topics and more. We also talk with an NC State Professor, Dr. Michael Maher, about why he wants to be the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Guests: • Dale Folwell, State Treasurer of North Carolina • Dr. Michael Maher, Assistant Dean of Professional Education, NC State

A recent Civitas poll suggests North Carolina will continue to play a role as an election battleground state in 2020. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, dissects the poll’s key findings. Henderson assesses the implications for Tar Heel politics during the next two years. Partisans on both the left and right tend to agree that our political debates have become far too polarized. In a recent column for National Review Online, John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood offered ideas for addressing the crippling level of polarization. Hood highlighted the work of North Carolina’s bipartisan Leadership Forum. Today’s economy requires an increased role for community college training. That’s the assessment from N.C. Community College System President Peter Hans. He recently explained to University of North Carolina leaders how state community colleges are responding to the state’s changing economic needs. A special legislative study group is looking into the controversial $57.8 million fund Gov. Roy Cooper set up in connection with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Lawmakers want to ensure that Cooper’s office did not coerce pipeline operators into paying the money in return for a necessary state environmental permit. You’ll hear highlights from the group’s first meeting. State Treasurer Dale Folwell is taking steps to increase transparency related to health care costs charged to the State Health Plan for government workers and retirees. Folwell’s efforts are facing some opposition within the General Assembly. Dan Way, Carolina Journal associate editor, reports on the latest developments. Way also notes Folwell’s concerns about some local governments’ financial stability.

Parents homeschool more than 135, 000 students in North Carolina. Nearly 102,000 more students attend private schools in the state. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes recent growth in both of those numbers. Stoops assesses the significance for education policy in the state. Private-sector innovation has driven massive positive changes in the American energy industry. Recent tax and regulatory reforms should lead to even more growth in the nation’s energy sector. Dan Brouillette, deputy U.S. energy secretary, delivered that message recently during a speech in Raleigh for the Jesse Helms Center. Brouilette explains how American energy production affects the nation’s geopolitical position. A proposed constitutional amendment on North Carolina’s ballot this November would change the way the state fills vacancies for state judges. During a recent floor debate, senators spelled out the pros and cons of changing the current rules. State leaders will need to take more steps to shore up long-term funding for North Carolina’s State Health Plan. State Treasurer Dale Folwell describes recent steps his office has taken to help address the issue. Folwell explains why state policymakers need to take the issue seriously. North Carolina continues to pay out millions of dollars for an “expired” tax credit linked to renewable energy. Dan Way, Carolina Journal associate editor, recently reported the numbers. Way explains why taxpayers are still paying for a credit that’s been eliminated.

Parents homeschool more than 135, 000 students in North Carolina. Nearly 102,000 more students attend private schools in the state. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes recent growth in both of those numbers. Stoops assesses the significance for education policy in the state. Private-sector innovation has driven massive positive changes in the American energy industry. Recent tax and regulatory reforms should lead to even more growth in the nation’s energy sector. Dan Brouillette, deputy U.S. energy secretary, delivered that message recently during a speech in Raleigh for the Jesse Helms Center. Brouilette explains how American energy production affects the nation’s geopolitical position. A proposed constitutional amendment on North Carolina’s ballot this November would change the way the state fills vacancies for state judges. During a recent floor debate, senators spelled out the pros and cons of changing the current rules. State leaders will need to take more steps to shore up long-term funding for North Carolina’s State Health Plan. State Treasurer Dale Folwell describes recent steps his office has taken to help address the issue. Folwell explains why state policymakers need to take the issue seriously. North Carolina continues to pay out millions of dollars for an “expired” tax credit linked to renewable energy. Dan Way, Carolina Journal associate editor, recently reported the numbers. Way explains why taxpayers are still paying for a credit that’s been eliminated.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell has made headlines in recent weeks. He’s proposed that any new statewide bond package should face a voter referendum. He’s working to help reduce State Health Plan costs. He’s advocating pension reforms related to spiking and government workers convicted of crimes. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes Folwell’s high-profile activity. No one knows all of the crimes created in North Carolina. Not even the woman who literally wrote the state’s book on criminal law. Jessica Smith, professor of public law and government at the UNC School of Government, says hundreds of crimes are scattered across more than 140 chapters of the N.C. General Statutes. Plus local governments and licensing boards have authority to create even more crimes. Smith explained during a recent presentation for the John Locke Foundation why she’s interested in a complete rewrite of the state criminal code. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has called on the Republican-led General Assembly to raise teacher pay. During a recent news conference, Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore responded that they’ve already planned average 6.2 percent teacher pay raises for the new budget year that starts in July. Berger and Moore also explained their recent efforts to boost overall education spending. The transition from Barack Obama’s presidential administration to one led by Donald Trump has led to major changes in a number of federal government policies. Scott Bullock, president and general counsel at the Institute for Justice, has been monitoring changes in the federal government’s approach to property rights. Bullock sees some good news from the Trump administration, along with some areas in which Obama’s policy was preferable. The lack of easily accessible medical services serves as no roadblock to the thousands of motorcyclists who head to Graham County every year to tackle the Tail of the Dragon mountain pass. Dan Way, Carolina Journal associate editor, recently offered details about the popular motorcycle route and the connection to local health care challenges.

This week, the state treasurer's office responded to an audit on eligibiity for the State Health Plan by removing 601 people deemed ineligible. A white candidate said he was a member of the African-American community. And we learned that a House member resigned from a state commission shortly after allegations surfaced about his treatment of women. All that, and why lawmakers were talking about bees this week. Jordan Schrader hosts, with Colin Campbell, Danielle Chemtob, Will Doran, Lauren Horsch and Andy Specht. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices