In Session: Keeping a pulse on North Carolina Healthcare Policy

As North Carolina enters the short legislative session, key healthcare priorities are in focus. In this episode of NCHA's In Session podcast, co-hosts James Tucker, NCHA's Interim Vice President of Government Relations and Legislative Counsel and Anthony Okunak, Vice President of Finance and Financial Policy, discuss Medicaid rebase funding, and new federal Medicaid work requirements. They break d...

North Carolina’s population is growing and aging. According to NCHA’s 2024 RTI Workforce Report , in the year 2000 there were more than five working-age adults for every person 65 and older in North Carolina. By 2035, there will be less than three working adults for every person 65 and older. In the latest episode of NCHA's In Session podcast, Berni Sczcepanski, chief people officer of FirstHealth...

Every day in North Carolina, over 360 hospital patients cleared for discharge face delays due to limited care placement options. On this episode of In Session, host Alicia Barfield sits down with Katie Flanagan, Assistant Vice President of Care Coordination at Duke University Health System and Chair of the NCHA Transitions of Care Committee. Together, they uncover the barriers causing these delays...

In North Carolina, at least 360 hospital patients medically cleared for discharge face delays due to limited availability of post-acute care placements. In this episode of In Session, Alicia Barfield, Director of Policy Development, is joined by Katie Flanagan, Assistant Vice President of Care Coordination at Duke University Health System and Chair of the NCHA Transitions of Care Committee. Togeth...

Join Anthony Okunak, NCHA Vice President of Finance and Financial Policy, as he sits down with David Pope, President & CEO of Scotland Health Care System, to discuss the transformative impact of the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP). Discover how HASP supports North Carolina hospitals, ensuring access to high-quality care in rural and underserved communities without relying on...

In part two of our deep dive into the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP), host Anthony Okunak continues the conversation with David Pope, President & CEO of Scotland Health Care System. Learn how HASP funding enables hospitals like Scotland Health to go beyond care delivery—launching community health initiatives, expanding access to urgent care, and investing in workforce educa...

Imagine this: children, often dealing with their own mental health challenges and involvement with child protective services, end up spending days, weeks, and sometimes even longer in hospital emergency rooms. Their long stays in the emergency room are not because they need medical treatment, but because there is nowhere else for them to go. Nicholle Karim, NCHA Vice President, Policy Development...

Nicholle Karim, NCHA's Vice President of Policy Development, sits down with Brian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer of the ECU Health enterprise, to uncover what it takes to lead a 9-hospital rural health system. From balancing daily operations with strategic goals to overcoming unique challenges faced by rural communities, Brian shares insights into the priorities, policies, and strategies that driv...

Doug Heron, NCHA Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Communications and Policy sits down with Nicholle Karim, Vice President of Policy Development, Anthony Okunak, Vice President of Finance and Financial Policy, and Blair Burr, Director of State Government Relations to discuss what's ahead for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Welcome to In Session, the North Carolina Healthcare Association’s podcast where we dive deep into critical issues impacting hospitals, patients and the overall health of our communities. Whether you're a legislator, policy advisor, or community leader, this series is designed to keep you informed about the challenges and opportunities in healthcare today.