Dale Folwell is the State Treasurer of North Carolina. He was responsible for getting the state out of debt to the federal government unemployment benefits program (over the objections of many Democrats) and is now working to bring transparency to health benefits for state workers (again over the objections of Democrats and some Republicans).<\/p>\n
The Carolina Journal<\/a> reported on June 17th that Mr. Folwell is actually\u00a0 making some progress.<\/p>\n The article reports:<\/p>\n With a deadline just 13 days away, Community Care Physician Network<\/a>, North Carolina\u2019s largest network of independent physician clinics, announced Monday, June 17, it signed on to the State Health Plan\u2019s cost-cutting Clear Pricing Project<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Community Care Physician Network is associated with 2,500 primary care clinicians, pediatricians, family medicine physicians, obstetricians\/gynecologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The group has more than 880 practices statewide. The network treats more than 2.5 million North Carolinians, including 700,000 Medicaid beneficiaries.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTheir physicians are leaders in our state in developing the highly regarded medical home model. They\u2019re known nationwide for high quality care, patient satisfaction and by using their innovative, collaborative approach to drive down costs,\u201d Folwell said in a news release announcing the move.<\/strong><\/p>\n Folwell says health care costs must be reduced immediately. The State Health Plan is only 3% funded, has $35 billion in unfunded liabilities, and will become insolvent in 2023. The Treasurer\u2019s Office projects taxpayers could save $258 million and plan members $57 million annually under the Clear Pricing Project. The changes take place in 2020. Providers have until June 30 to join the project.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt made good sense to us,\u201d Conrad Flick, Community Care Physician Network co-president, said of linking with the reconstructed plan. \u201cWe\u2019re dedicated to our communities and our patients, and focused on providing them with better and more cost-effective health care.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The article concludes:<\/p>\n The N.C. Healthcare Association, the lobbying arm of hospitals and large health systems, continues to oppose<\/a> Folwell\u2019s plan. The group pushed for passage of House Bill 184<\/a> to halt the reforms and launch a two-year study instead. The House passed the measure, but it has gotten no traction in the Senate.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hospitals say the cost-cutting features of Folwell\u2019s plan jeopardize the survival of rural hospitals. Folwell said most rural hospitals will be better off financially under the plan, and nine of 10 primary care physicians will get more money.<\/strong><\/p>\n Montana<\/a> is among a handful of states that use the reference-based pricing model for their state health plans. Officials there told Carolina Journal<\/i>the results are positive.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dale Folwell is attempting to bring the same sort of fiscal sanity to healthcare in North Carolina that he brought to unemployment benefits. Let’s hope that he is successful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dale Folwell is the State Treasurer of North Carolina. He was responsible for getting the state out of debt to the federal government unemployment benefits program (over the objections of many Democrats) and is now working to bring transparency to … Continue reading