Stay up to date with WRAL’s Health care costs news and reporting coverage
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist
While a resolution to the federal shutdown would restore SNAP benefits and airline operations, a separate and critical issue of expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies remains unresolved, potentially impacting the affordability of health insurance for millions.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist
North Carolina is not alone in seeing rate increases, with premiums soaring across the country. Even more rate hikes could soon be on the way, depending on how the ongoing federal government shutdown is eventually resolved.
Will Doran and Brian Murphy, WRAL News
The state's Medical Debt Relief Program has relieved debts for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians, totaling billions of dollars. Officials say it's only the start.
Will Doran, WRAL News
In an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation" -- aired Sept. 28, three days before government funding was set to run out -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said that if Republicans failed to extend the expiring subsidies, many Americans would see a big hit in their out-of-pocket health insurance costs.
President Donald Trump and top health officials heralded their drug pricing deal with Pfizer on Tuesday as a breakthrough that would save money for American patients struggling with prescription drug costs.
Rebecca Robbins, New York Times
For months, as President Donald Trump threatened to impose punishing tariffs on imported medicines, fears mounted that American patients would be harmed by higher prices and shortages of vital drugs.
The healthcare provider signed a contract with the insurance provider to cover patients under UnitedHealthcare in 2022. The contract is set to expire on November 15. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, some patients won't have WakeMed facilities covered by their insurance plan.
Top North Carolina officials are closely watching contract negotiations between Duke Health and health insurance company Aetna -- which are now heating up, with barely a month left to salvage a deal -- over fears the outcome could lead to higher insurance costs for state employees or upend existing care.
Duke's fight with Aetna for more favorable rates comes as the university faces other financial pressures, mostly from the federal government.
Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter
Nearly 1 in 5 in-network health insurance claims from plans sold on Healthcare.gov were denied. If your health insurance denies a test, treatment or medication your doctor says you need, don't rush to pay out of pocket. You have a guaranteed right to appeal that decision. The good news is it's easier than you might think. This preview is part of a longer story Keely Arthur reported on after 5 On Your Side helped a man get around health insurance denials.
Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid could leave thousands of North Carolina families grappling with the loss of affordable nursing home care.
"Republicans just unveiled their 'big, beautiful bill,' which will take Medicaid & health insurance away from 13.7 million Americans, shutter hospitals & cause premiums to skyrocket across the country. Insane," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in a May 12 X post.
Louis Jacobson and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporters
Health care costs will soon increase for state workers, retirees and their families, possibly even doubling for some.
A bill that seeks to restrict surprise billing by health care providers has passed the state Senate. The bill now goes to the House, which has rejected similar proposals in the past.
Laura Leslie and Will Doran, WRAL News
Nurses from across North Carolina are gathering in downtown Raleigh Wednesday to lobby for changes to health care legislation. Their main legislative priority faces heavy opposition from lobbying groups representing doctors.
Melissa Koch had a $126,000 medical bill wiped away after she reached out to WRAL 5 On Your Side for help.
Melissa Koch, a Wake County mother with a chronic joint disorder, got authorization from her insurance company before ankle replacement surgery. When she got a letter after the procedure denying coverage, she reached out to 5 On Your Side.
Critics fear the bill will pit patients and advocacy groups against one another. Supporters say North Carolina's medical costs are already sky-high and this will prevent health insurance from becoming even more expensive.
North Carolina mandates 58 types of medical coverage that health insurance must pay for. Republican state senators are backing a bill to ensure that list will never grow larger, citing concerns over rising costs.
The State Health Plan is considering a major overhaul of its pricing structure, likely leading to premium increases for most state employees by 2026.
