HealthWise: Healthcare Policy in NC and the US
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North Carolina is rich in healthcare – the state is a mecca for medical training, the headquarters of pharmaceutical development and a hub for leaders and consumer advocates who care about health. Lawmakers in Raleigh and the nation's capitol are making decisions now that will impact health policy in the years to come. In our state's capitol, our legislators are currently wrestling with bills that, if passed, could change state policies regarding Medicaid eligibility, prescription drug coverage and funding.

Medicaid is one of the top issues in the state legislature's budget this year. Dr. William Atkinson, President and CEO of WakeMed Health and Hospitals, Representative Paul Stam, who represents Wake County, and Senator William Purcell, who also happens to be a retired physician, discuss the Medicaid program and answer viewer questions about its potential changes.

Experts discuss the Medicaid issues that affect everyone in this state and answer some of the most critical questions about how today's Medicaid policy is being shaped to respond to America's future needs. Plus, viewers have the chance to call in and ask the experts questions about North Carolina's policies.

Issues discussed include the definition of Medicaid, who is eligible and the differences between Medicaid ad Medicare; some of the potential changes in Medicaid policy in North Carolina as a result of the state budget process; and how hospitals handle Medicaid patients versus the uninsured and those with private health insurance.

Panelists

Dr. William Atkinson
President & CEO
WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Bill Atkinson is not only leading a 700+ bed hospital, he is looking for more efficient ways of administering healthcare. As a practicing Emergency Medical Technician, he's also very much concerned with emergency room care. He was the chairman of NC Hospital Association last year.

Senator William R. Purcell, MD

Senator William Purcell is four-term state Democrat representing the 25^th District (Anson, Richmond, Scotland, and Stanly counties) and a retired pediatrician. He has carried his interest in healthcare to his position in the Legislature. He is co-chairman of the Appropriations on Health and Human Services Committee and co-chairman of the Health Care Committee. This session, he has sponsored several Medicaid-related bills, including the Medicaid phase-out bill for county expenditures on Medicaid, a Medicaid case management bill for prescription drugs, and a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to children age birth through five years with family incomes equal to or less than two hundred percent of the federal poverty level using NC Health Choice and federal fund to finance the expansion.

Dr. George L. Saunders, III, M.D.
President, Old North State Medical Society

Dr. Saunders practices family medicine and geriatrics Down East. He is president of the Old North State Medical Society (ONSMS), the nation's oldest association of Black Physicians. The Society was founded in 1886 and has from that date until the present directed its energies to the objectives of equity in healthcare, equal opportunity for black health professionals and equal care for black, other ethnic minorities, and very poor patients.

Adam Searing, JD, MPH
Project Director
NC Health Access Coalition

Adam Searing joined the North Carolina Justice Center as Director of the North Carolina Health Access Coalition in 1997. The Health Access Coalition is North Carolina's leading voice for progressive health care reforms that address the needs of the uninsured and underinsured. The project advocates both for more comprehensive and effective public health care programs and on behalf of average consumers in the private market. During his tenure, Searing has: led the fight to defeat of a proposed conversion of Blue Cross/Blue Shield NC to a for-profit, won and helped implement expansions of the state Medicaid program, helped win passage of the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (Health Choice), and fought for consumer rights for North Carolinians in HMOs.

Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake)

Representative Paul Stam, an attorney, has represented Wake County for three terms. He is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and serves on the Judiciary, Commerce and Federal Relations and Trade Issues Committees as well.