Robinson campaign calls North Carolina agency report on wife’s nonprofit politically motivated

Robinson campaign calls North Carolina agency report on wife’s nonprofit politically motivated

RALEIGH, N.C. — A state review’s findings of operating and administrative issues by a nonprofit owned by North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s wife while implementing a child care food program “are politically motivated at the core,” Robinson’s campaign said Monday. A compliance review of Balanced Nutrition Inc. by the state’s federally funded Child and … Read more

North Carolina regulators says nonprofit run by lieutenant governor’s wife owes the state $132K

North Carolina regulators says nonprofit run by lieutenant governor’s wife owes the state 2K

RALEIGH. N.C. — North Carolina state regulators now declare a nonprofit run by the wife of North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson must repay over $132,000 for what they call disallowed expenses while carrying out a federally funded child care meal program. The state Department of Health and Human Services revealed a larger amount in … Read more

Alabama birthing units are closing to save money and get funding. Some say babies are at risk

Alabama birthing units are closing to save money and get funding. Some say babies are at risk

GROVE HILL, Ala. — One of the last remaining birthing units in southern Alabama will close next month to qualify for federal funding that will save the hospital’s emergency services, but doctors warn the move may cost newborns and pregnant women essential access to obstetric care. Nestled in rural Clarke County, the small, nonprofit Grove … Read more

Judge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement

Judge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement

ATLANTA — A federal judge ruled that the Biden administration complied with the law when it declined to grant an extension to Georgia’s year-old Medicaid plan, which is the only one in the country that has a work requirement for recipients of the publicly funded health coverage for low-income people. The state didn’t comply with … Read more

Can a Medicaid plan that requires work succeed? First year of Georgia experiment is not promising

Can a Medicaid plan that requires work succeed? First year of Georgia experiment is not promising

ATLANTA — By now, Georgia officials expected their new Medicaid plan, the only one in the nation with a work requirement, to provide health insurance to 25,000 low-income residents and possibly tens of thousands more. But a year since its launch, Pathways to Coverage has roughly 4,300 members, much lower than what state officials projected … Read more

North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion program has enrolled 500,000 people in just 7 months

North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion program has enrolled 500,000 people in just 7 months

RALEIGH, N.C. — More than 500,000 North Carolina residents have enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program since it went live about seven months ago, officials announced Friday. Gov. Roy Cooper, joined by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley and two health care professionals held a news conference to tout … Read more

New parents in Baltimore could get $1,000 if voters approve ‘baby bonus’ initiative

New parents in Baltimore could get ,000 if voters approve ‘baby bonus’ initiative

BALTIMORE — A group of Baltimore teachers is asking voters to approve a program that would give $1,000 to new parents in the hopes of reducing childhood poverty starting from birth. The “baby bonus” will appear on the ballot for city residents in November, after supporters secured the necessary 10,000 signatures to bring the question … Read more

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Businesses that want to sell, process or grow medical marijuana for Kentucky can start applying for permits starting Monday, part of an accelerated push to have products available in early 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. Doctors and advanced practice registered nurses also can begin submitting applications to let them certify eligible … Read more

Ivory Coast sets up mobile enrollment for a health coverage program criticized over glitches

Ivory Coast sets up mobile enrollment for a health coverage program criticized over glitches

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Health authorities in Ivory Coast launched mobile enrollment centers for the country’s universal health coverage program, which has been criticized since its 2019 inception over difficulties accessing benefits. Ivory Coast is one of a handful countries in West Africa that offers a universal health program. But, five years in, less than … Read more

France’s Macron, African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities

France’s Macron, African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is joining several African leaders on Thursday to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa, after the coronavirus pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. The launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which will provide financial incentives to vaccine … Read more