Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across America in celebration of National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 21. National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the “Power of Rural” by honoring the individuals, organizations and community members dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7 p.m., in partnership with The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Queen City Metropolitan Chapter. During this event, NCDHHS and NCBW will provide information and resources to those who may be eligible for Medicaid throughout the Mecklenburg community and across the state.

PRESS RELEASE — Policymakers, employers and local leaders came together in Raleigh for the premiere of a new, short documentary on North Carolina’s child care crisis — "Take Care" — and to participate in a discussion on how to create lasting solutions that support children’s healthy development, allow parents to work and keep businesses running.

PRESS RELEASE — NC Medicaid is the recipient of the National Association of Medicaid Directors’ 2024 Spotlight Award. This recognition for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services comes as more than 570,000 people have enrolled in Medicaid expansion in the 11 months since its Dec. 1, 2023, launch. The record enrollment in year one is almost the total 600,000 that were estimated to enroll in Medicaid expansion over two years.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced more than $129 million in food assistance has been distributed to more than one million children and families during the first SUN Bucks summer in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines and other steps to protect tribal communities against severe respiratory illness, hospitalization and long-term respiratory health complications. Panelists will also discuss ways people can find nearby health care providers and access care, as well as how to access free or low-cost vaccines.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how updated vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, help protect communities against severe illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications. The event, originally set to take place in October, was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene across the state, NCDHHS and participants will also share health-related resources available to support communities during disaster recovery.

PRESS RELEASE — In response to Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing one-time disaster supplement benefits to help households already receiving Food and Nutrition Services in 23 counties. This supplemental payment was automatically loaded onto participants’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards Sunday and are now available for use. There is no action FNS participants need to take to receive the benefit. The total benefit is more than $16 million that was issued to 68,000 households and 135,000 FNS participants in western North Carolina. The benefit will bring FNS recipients up to the maximum benefit level they can receive for their monthly benefit for one month.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announces $5 million to help providers build capacity and implement the Collaborative Care Model in primary care offices across the state. Through the Collaborative Care Model, primary care providers work with an integrated behavioral health case manager and a psychiatric consultant to monitor and treat patients for mild to moderate behavioral health conditions. The need for integrated medical and behavioral health care is greater than ever as rates of anxiety and depression have substantially increased following the COVID-19 pandemic.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with lodging establishments impacted by Hurricane Helene to help them reopen safely. Hotels and motels are encouraged to submit Emergency Operations Plans to their local health department so they can reopen as quickly as possible while water systems and infrastructure continues to be repaired in western North Carolina.