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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $656,000 per year for the 2025-2027 fiscal period to the UNC Health Care System to cover transportation costs for newborn patients when insurance companies deny coverage for ambulance and mileage fees. The UNC system must report annually to the General Assembly on how the funds are spent and their impact on neonatal care.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill ensures critically ill newborns receive timely transport to appropriate care facilities regardless of insurance coverage denials, which could be life-saving.
• •They contend that removing financial barriers to neonatal transport prevents delays in emergency care and protects vulnerable infants who cannot afford out-of-pocket transportation costs.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that using $656,000 in state general funds to cover what insurance should pay shifts costs from insurers to taxpayers and does not address the root cause of insurance denials.
• •They might also question whether this funding should be limited to UNC hospitals or extended statewide, and whether the state should focus on requiring insurers to cover these essential services rather than subsidizing gaps.