Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is joining southeastern states, insurers and national leaders in health care and public health for a collaborative effort to combat the congenital syphilis crisis. Participants from NCDHHS and other states’ public health and Medicaid programs aligned on recommendations for standard syphilis screening in pregnant women and for providers to adhere to the requirements around control measures for diseases like congenital syphilis. A group of states agreed to come together to bring case counts down, particularly in the southeast.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched a performance dashboard for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to highlight how the suicide and crisis lifeline is being used in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley celebrated the launch of Medicaid expansion, extending health care coverage to more than 600,000 newly eligible North Carolinians through NC Medicaid.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced eligible hospitals in the state will begin receiving payments through the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP). Nearly $2.6 billion in funds will be distributed to 102 hospitals across the state throughout the week. Earlier this year, state leaders authorized Medicaid Expansion and HASP as part of a broader strategy to support access to care for low-income North Carolinians.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2023-2024 flu season. A child in the western part of the state recently died from complications associated with influenza infection. To protect the family’s privacy, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking steps to modify the representation of tribal affiliation on birth and death certificates.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from older adults and people with disabilities on Dec. 1, 2023.

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley is visiting the Harnett County Department of Social Services on Monday, Nov. 20, to announce a new initiative that provides payment to relatives and family members who step in to care for children in need. The kinship care reimbursement payments are a vital resource that will support positive outcomes for children and families and encourage more people to become kinship care providers.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Rural Health is proud to recognize the selfless, community-minded spirit of health professionals and volunteers in communities across the state during National Rural Health Day 2023. National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of residents in rural areas, including those who serve the 4.6 million people living in one of the 70 rural counties across North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, the second oldest state cancer coalition in the nation, will celebrate 30 years of vigorous efforts to reduce North Carolina’s cancer burden on Friday, Nov. 17.