Rising healthcare costs is a problem that seems to be on everyone’s mind, from patients to government officials. But what are the possible solutions? That’s a tricky answer, but one that Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina Chief Medical Officer Rahul Rajkumar seeks to find. And he’s got a solid idea on how to keep costs down – and keep quality care high. On this week’s episode of “The Cost of Health,” Rahul shares his thoughts on the factors that drive rising costs, a strategy for value-based reimbursement in North Carolina, and how it all works. Doctor Rajkumar's executive profileDoctor Rajkumar on Twitter @RahulRajkumar11Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Cost of Health

Dr. Rahul Rajkumar, CMO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

When asked who might be against the removal of outdated and restrictive Certificate of Need (CON) laws, Senator Joyce Krawiec lets out a laugh. It’s not a nervous laugh, but one that’s hearty and genuine. More than anything, it’s a gesture of astonishment and bewilderment. So, just who would be against ridding the state of guidelines that limit new healthcare providers from entering the market?“The folks who already are in the market don’t want competition,” Krawiec says. “They just don’t want competition.”Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Senator Krawiec explains how CON laws drive up your health care costs

In the latest edition of the NC Coalition for Fiscal Health’s podcast, “The Cost of Health,” you’ll hear the second part of our talk with Cohen as she walks us through her vision for Medicaid expansion and creating a healthier North Carolina.You might remember from part one that a big goal of Medicaid expansion is filling what’s called the “coverage gap,” or the group of people who make too much money to qualify under current Medicaid standards, but not enough to be eligible for a subsidy under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Discussed in this episode: NCCARE360Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

HHS Secretary Mandy Cohen on Medicaid Work Requirements, Tobacco and more

Since Medicaid is insurance that’s intended for people with lower incomes, it sometimes carries a negative reputation or association. Despite the stigma, Cohen cautions that the majority of its members are either children (1.2 million in North Carolina), those with disabilities, or seniors.But then there are the people like our farmer or those who fall into what’s called the “coverage gap.” This is when someone makes too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for a subsidy under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

HHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, Talks Health Access Expansion

Surprise bills are hugely damaging to families and drive up the costs of our insurance premiums, which is why I was so excited yesterday when senate bill 386 was introduced.  This bill will mitigate the impact of surprise bills by setting reasonable limits on what out of network providers can charge patients.  Last week, before the bill was introduced, I sat down with Senator Hise, one of the bills sponsors, to discuss the issue of surprise bills.  Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Senator Hise - A Solution to Surprise Hospital Bills

Open enrollment for 2019 health insurance plans start on November 1 and last through December 15. Healthcare plans are always changing. We wanted to talk to someone who knows exactly what has happened in 2018 and what can be expected for the upcoming year. On this episode of “The Cost of Health,” WNC Health Insurance owner Josh Williams chats about new plans, reimbursements, and reference-based pricing health plans. Josh Williams' Western North Carolina Health InsuranceFollow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Want Lower Premiums? Meet Reference Based Reimbursement

It’s no secret that healthcare costs in North Carolina and across the country are on the rise. But what can be done to lower healthcare costs? On this week’s episode of “The Cost of Health,” we get an insider look on the real ways to keep costs down. We chat with Dr. Patrick Conway, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), for his take on what’s driving the spike and how it can be combatted.Patrick Conway's executive profile on bluecrossnc.comPatrick Conway on Twitter @PatrickConwayMDFollow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Dr. Conway, CEO of Blue Cross NC on rising health care costs

 Olga Kennedy is busy woman. She works 7 days a week at Aqua Squad Pool and Spa Service which she owns with her husband, she’s a fulltime mom to two children, and she teaches English and general education classes at a private college in Raleigh, N.C. But despite all of her hard work and success, she still finds health insurance out of her reach. In this week's episode, Olga tells us about making difficult choices between health care and her children's education, as well as rushing a surgery that she might not have even needed. Aqua Squad - the pool and spa service Olga owns with her husband.Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and FacebookAnd be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costsThe North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Possibly unnecessary surgery this year - because it would cost too much next year

In this episode, NC Representative Kevin Corbin joins us to discuss the impact of health care costs on his constituents in western North Carolina. He also shares some potential legislative solutions to alleviate health care costs, and talks about his second career as a southern gospel singer. Learn more about Rep. Kevin Corbin Rep. Corbin's official page on the NC General Assembly website Purchase and listen to music by Blue Ridge Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and Facebook And be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costs The North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

North Carolina Rep. Kevin Corbin

Doctor John Spangler has noticed a disturbing trend among his patients. They often cannot afford the lifesaving medication they need, even working full time. More and more, families are forced to make the choice between necessities like groceries and medicine. ,br> In this episode, Doctor Spangler shares some stories from his patients, and lets us behind the scenes on how pharmaceutical companies market their most expensive drugs to doctors like him. Read Doctor Spangler's piece in the Greensboro News and Record. Look up any doctor on Propublica's "Dollars for Docs" database to see how much they have received from pharmaceutical companies. Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and michaelck and Facebook And be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costs The North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

Not Enough Money For Insulin and Groceries

Keith Buchanan is a successful IT entrepreneur in Marion, NC. Even though his business is booming, he, and his wife, Dianna, who also works full time, have found that they can no longer afford to pay the rising premiums on their health insurance. This week we travel to the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina to understand how he and his wife made the decision to go without insurance and learn what they are doing instead. Visit Keith on the web at aplusnetworking.com Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and 

He changed his whole life so he could afford not to have insurance

For Lorenda Overman, rising health care costs have meant she and her family, who own the Overman farm in Goldsboro, North Carolina, have been forced to make difficult choices and find creative solutions to ensure they can maintain their way of life and receive affordable health coverage. Lorenda serves on Farm Bureau's Women's Committee. She can be found on Twitter at @LorendaOverman. Follow us on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and @michaelck and Facebook And be sure to join the coalition to help fight for lower health care costs The North Carolina Coalition for Fiscal Health is a 501(c)(4) corporation, organized as a nonpartisan group focused on economic issues and the rising cost of healthcare in North Carolina. We’re here to talk about improving the fiscal health of all North Carolinians.

She sacrificed everything else so they could have health insurance

Follow the coalition and Michael on Twitter @fiscalhealthnc and 

The Cost of Health - Trailer

In the U.S., health care costs are rising faster than inflation. This means that every year, more and more of our income is going toward medical expenses, leaving less money to invest in our families, our businesses and our communities. The Cost of Health tells the stories of real people struggling to find solutions to keep their businesses and their families afloat, and discusses possible solutions with the most innovative thinkers in the health care industry today.