N.C. Institute of Medicine

Grant to fund state-provided health plan

bniolet — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:52:03 -0400

* The state is getting a $17 million federal grant to provide government health insurance to low-income working parents.

Adults who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid will be able to enroll in a health insurance plan with limited benefits.

The grant, which will cover a year of planning and four years of care, is enough to pay for a test program for about 1,500 families. The idea is that after a few years of offering the insurance on a small scale, the state could apply for federal permission to expand the insurance plan statewide.

If Congress overhauls health insurance nationwide, the state's test program could become obsolete. But planners did not want to wait for federal action.

"It's a starting point," said Pam Silberman, president of the N.C. Institute of Medicine. Two institute committees have recommended this kind of health insurance expansion, and the institute helped the state with its application. (N&O)

* Gov. Beverly Perdue said Monday she is continuing to work with Charlotte-area leaders to find a way to finish Interstate 485, saying it "makes no sense that the road dead-ends."

Completing the outer belt has been a frequent talking point — and source of angst for some residents — since the governor promised in February to start construction on the last leg of the loop by the end of the year. Recently, many local leaders have resisted a state proposal to start working on the loop by shifting money away from a planned widening of Independence Boulevard.

Perdue said she would understand if local leaders decided not to move ahead with completing I-485 because it would take money away from the Independence project. "(But) I'm still really working aggressively trying to figure out a way that we can have 485," she said.

Perdue's visit to Charlotte comes as her popularity in the state's largest city is lagging. She was greeted warmly in stops to a school and a new small business. (Char-O)

Vets group names top goals

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:26:09 -0400

The N.C. Veterans Council has set its sights higher.

Despite the proliferation of bills giving new perks to active-duty and retired members of the military, the coalition of state veterans groups is pushing for three more substantial bills:

* Studying traumatic brain injury. The state Institute of Medicine would study mental health services for injured veterans.

* Extending tax exemptions on military pensions. Veterans with pensions that began before 1989 do not pay state income tax. This bill would extend that benefit to all vets.

* Creating a Cabinet veterans position. The state Division of Veterans Affairs would be elevated to a Cabinet-level position appointed by the governor.

Bruce Edwards, a retired Army colonel who heads the state Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the tax exemption may be the toughest sell, but he argued it would attract a lot of retirees to the state.

He said the other perks — which include free tours of state museums and free parking — are nice, but they're not the main mission right now.

"It's all good," he said. "But those are the three big ones."

What is the N.C. Institute of Medicine?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:03:10 -0500

Answer:

A health care think tank chartered by the state legislature.

In 1983, the N.C. General Assembly created the N.C. Institute of Medicine to serve as an unbiased source of information and advice about health care.

The public agency works with health care providers, insurers, state government and patient advocates to write recommendations for public policy changes.

It is run by 100 members appointed by the governor for five-year terms from business, health care, philanthropy and the general public. Financial support comes from the state and private foundations.

The institute is based in Durham.