Health care Coverage

US Senate committee investigates weight-loss drug costs as NC negotiates with manufacturer

A U.S. Senate committee is investigating the prices that Novo Nordisk charges for its blockbuster medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. North Carolina officials, who canceled coverage of the drugs over costs, are trying to negotiate lower prices with the drug maker.

Dani Blum, New York Times

Tom Snyder: Tiny tech promises more accessible, individualized health care

Real-time, wearable monitoring technologies are poised to up-end the current model of health care away from the home. How quickly will the industry and individuals adapt?

Morning sickness? Prenatal check-ups? What to know about new rights for pregnant workers

Pregnant employees have the right to a wide range of accommodations under new federal regulations for enforcing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that supporters say could change workplace culture for millions of people.

By ALEXANDRA OLSON and CLAIRE SAVAGE, AP Business Writers

Aphora Health raises $2.1 million in seed round

Aphora Health, a global healthcare services company, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, has raised $2.1 million in its seed funding round.

Tech literacy required: Improvements in health care require new skills for doctors, patients

Our aging population, those most affected by chronic disease, find themselves on the periphery of the digital health revolution, unable to access the very tools designed to help them.

Aphora Health in Cary raises $2.1 million to advance growth

Aphora Health, a global healthcare services company, announced the closing of its seed funding round, raising $2.1 million over the […]

Could data replace the doctor? Be wary about how wearables track, influence health behaviors

When access to health data is married with thoughtfully designed solutions that reliably influence behavior for good, then the path to personalized healthcare accelerates.

Long-time Teladoc leader departs as virtual care provider struggles with post-COVID tumble

Teladoc gave no reason for the departure of CEO Jason Gorevic. The 52-year-old executive had led the company and served as a director since 2009.

With focus on training new nurses and doctors, NC officials hear update on millions in new state spending

UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, ECU and UNC-Pembroke are among the campuses state lawmakers focused on in the latest state budget, with an eye toward training future health care workers.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Tom Snyder: Should we have business licenses for data?

One industry almost certainly needs more regulation that exists today: Healthcare

A year since Medicaid expansion became law, North Carolinians signing up at 'breakneck pace'

Since enrollment for Medicaid expansion began on Dec. 1, 2023, more than 398,000 people have enrolled.

Grace Hayba, WRAL Health reporter

Biden, Harris in Raleigh to talk about health care and reproductive rights

Watch President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris discuss health care and reproductive rights - two issues seen as key to driving turnout among Democratic voters - at Chavis Community Center in Raleigh.

New national network aims to establish safety tools for AI use in medicine

The goal is to further create principles, best practice standards and tools that would allow for integration of AI algorithms to be standardized across health systems throughout the country.

WRAL News Poll shows what NC voters care about most

North Carolina voters view the economy and health care as the top issues heading into the 2024 general election season, according to a new WRAL News poll.

NC voters united on economy as top 2024 issue, divided on immigration and abortion, WRAL News poll shows

Voters agree on the importance of many top issues, but not all. Abortion and immigration are the two most polarizing topics among supporters of Democratic President Joe Biden and his presumptive Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

New AI tools can record your medical appointment or draft a message from your doctor

It's been 15 months since OpenAI released ChatGPT. Already thousands of doctors are using similar products based on large language models.

United Healthcare patients could lose coverage at UNC Health as dispute continues

Representatives from UNC Health and United Healthcare are meeting Tuesday. We're told the two sides remain "far apart" on a new and fair agreement.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

UNC Health patients could be forced to find new doctor

With a contract expiration date of April 1 and no deal in sight, United Healthcare patients will soon be left out-of-network.

TALK LIKE A KID: How child life specialists break down complex procedures the youngest patients

The healthcare system can be difficult for anyone to navigate. It is especially challenging for kids. Child life specialists aim to make medicine easier to digest.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

Wake County reopening health clinic Monday at Southern Regional Center

Starting Monday, people who live in southern Wake County will have another option for medical care.

Southern Regional Center reopens clinic to expand health care to southern Wake County, marginalized communities

The Wake County Southern Regional Center is located at 130 N. Judd Parkway NE in Fuquay-Varina. The clinic opens Monday at 8:30 a.m.

Kelsey Coffey, WRAL reporter

How AI health care chatbots learn from the questions of a women’s organization

Komal Vilas Thatkare says she doesn’t have anyone to ask about her most private health questions.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the weeks ending Feb. 1 and Feb. 8

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted in recent weeks.

Targeted News Service

Studies show gaps in health based on geography, race

CDC leaders say better jobs, education, healthy relationships, exercise and access to healthy foods all contribute to better health outcomes.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

Offenders at Vance County Jail will soon have co-pay for health care

Offenders booked into the Vance County Jail will soon have a $10 co-pay for some of their health care. Some advocates say it could lead to serious health consequences.