A neighboring health care system is questioning UNC Hospitals’ use of public funds following the hospital’s financial contribution to the UNC system.
Some high school students might have to change their summer plans if a proposed budget is passed by the N.C. General Assembly. The proposal of the N.C. House appropriations subcommittee on education — released Tuesday — includes eliminating state funding for the N.C. Governor’s School program and charging tuition to offset the loss in funding.
Members of the UNC-system Board of Governors managed to find some positive items for discussion while continuing their grim talks regarding the impact of unprecedented budget cuts.
This year’s graduates will be the first to benefit from the provision that allows them to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans until the age of 26.It is now up to the government and to advocacy agencies to ensure students are aware of their health insurance options as they graduate.
A new payment plan the N.C. General Assembly passed last week could bring some hospitals more money from the federal government.
Gov. Bev Perdue presented her budget last month with a proposed 25 percent cut to the UNC Hospitals state appropriation that will reduce the financial support for charity care.
A proposed federal regulation might change the administration — and significantly increase costs — of student health plans at universities nationwide, including the UNC-system plan that was introduced last semester.
UNC Hospitals is continuing to rely on health care reform as a way to reduce costs even though the legislation is being challenged and might even be repealed. The hospital has been losing millions in uncompensated care and is counting on the provision in the reform that requires everyone to be insured by 2014.
The N.C. Community Colleges Board passed a new rule Friday allowing community college officials on all 58 campuses to refuse admission to applicants they deem as potential threats to campus security. But state disability rights groups are concerned the rule might violate federal law.
A dispute concerning rising health care costs might lead to the termination of a contract between UNC Hospitals and an insurance provider early next month, leaving thousands of patients in the lurch. UNC has raised the costs of service far beyond what Aetna’s patients might be able to pay, said Walt Cherniak, spokesman for the Connecticut-based insurance agency.
