In a decisive move to bolster health services and infrastructure within North Carolina, Governor Stein has affixed his signature to a suite of six legislative measures. Among the bills now cemented into law, House Bill 546 promises to expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum women for a full year, simplify access to telehealth services, and pave the way for a specialized Medicaid health plan aimed at supporting children and young adults entangled in the state’s child welfare system, as reported by the Governor's Office.
Spotlighting the passage of House Bill 546, Governor Stein articulated his commitment and ongoing vision for Medicaid in North Carolina, stating, “This bill will strengthen North Carolina’s Medicaid program by providing coverage for women who have just given birth for 12 months, making telehealth services more accessible, and launching a new statewide Medicaid health plan for children and young adults served by the child welfare system." The Governor, while acknowledging the progressive stride, underscored the need for a more entrenched defense of Medicaid against potential federal budget slashes, and the importance of aligning the state's budget with the program's long-term viability, all this showing a keen awareness of the legislative journey that lies ahead for the state's health care infrastructure, as per the Governor's Office.
Another stride forward, encapsuled in House Bill 559, contemplates the modernization of the state's building codes, a critical step in tandem with the state's rapid population growth, particularly in western North Carolina. “I have made my appointments to the Building and Residential Code Councils and look forward to the legislature moving to confirm these appointments so that our codes can be modernized and put into effect," Governor Stein emphasized in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office.
Alongside the highlighted House Bills 546 and 559, Governor Stein has also sanctioned four additional bills—Senate Bill 706, Senate Bill 664, House Bill 210, and House Bill 23.
