Medicaid expansion means North Carolina's working poor can go to the doctor for free. It also means billions in new federal funding for hospitals.

After 14 years, billions to flow as 600,000 qualify for Medicaid insurance in NC

More than half a million North Carolinians now qualify for Medicaid 

Medicaid expansion takes effect Dec. 1 in North Carolina, and 5 On Your Side is helping answer your questions about the change. 

Call Dec. 5 to get answers about Medicaid in NC

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina will begin Dec. 1, 2023

A new report released by WalletHub says that North Carolina is among one of the top 5 worst states for healthcare. 


RALEIGH, N.C. — <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-health-care/23457" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A new report released by WalletHub</a> found that North Carolina is among one of the worst states in the nation for health care.

The study compared health care costs, access and outcomes across 50 states and the District of Columbia.

<ul>	<li><a href="https://www.wral.com/story/shop-around-costs-vary-widely-for-same-procedure-at-triangle-hospitals/19805697/">Shop around: Costs vary widely for same procedure at Triangle hospitals</a></li></ul>

North Carolina was one of the most expensive states to receive health care, according to the study. The only state with more expensive health care was Oregon.

"While health care in the U.S. is expensive, higher medical costs don’t necessarily translate to better results,"<a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-health-care/23457" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the study said.</a>

WRAL compares two local hospitals performing the same procedure but charging vastly different rates. WRAL Investigates the major inconsistency in medical bills in the Triangle.

A procedure that costs $3,000 at a local hospital could cost up to 15,000 at another WRL. Data trackers breaks down the enormous and inconsistent costs for medical procedures in the triangle. for cardiac valve surgery. But for someone else, half of that nobody should go broke because they got sick. The surprising differences in prices, even within the same hospital tonight, at six on WRL. Mhm.

Jodi Leese Glusco

Two local hospitals, the same procedure, thousands of dollars difference in cost

Surgery

Average monthly insurance premiums are also pricey in North Carolina compared to other states — the state ranked 38th in average monthly premium prices, with one being the best and 25 being average.

<a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-health-care/23457" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WalletHub also reports that</a> North Carolina has a low number of at-risk patients seeing their doctor routinely.

Rural hospitals across North Carolina continue to struggle financially as COVID-19 persists and Medicaid expansion remains pending, with some closing down completely.

Jake Seaton

1 in 4 rural hospitals are at risk of closing - 7 in NC have already closed

NC Justice Center : Spotlight : Rural Hospitals

North Carolina was also found to be one of the worst states for children's health care, in a WalletHub study published in April.

The state with the most affordable and accessible health care was Massachusetts.

Maggie Brown

Study: North Carolina one of the worst, most expensive states for health care

NC hospitals running out of space 

It was a warm and foggy start Saturday morning, but more showers are expected in the early afternoon and then again overnight.

Break in the showers Saturday afternoon, but more 🌧️ expected tonight, Sunday morning

Forecast for Saturday 

A Fayetteville woman says she was raped by the person who delivered her groceries through Instacart late last month.

'Be careful: ' Woman says man delivering groceries through Instacart raped her in her home

WRAL reporter Carly Haynes interviews a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a man delivering groceries through Instacart. 

BOSTON (AP) -- The family of a North Carolina teenager is suing American Airlines, saying that a flight attendant taped an iPhone to an airplane toilet to record her using the restroom during a September flight.

NC teenage girl who says she discovered a camera in an airplane bathroom is suing American Airlines

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According to the Animal Center, adoption service will resume on Monday, December 4. The adoptions are by appointment only. The center had been closed for eight weeks as it managed a dog flu outbreak.

Wake Co. Animal Center to resume pet adoptions on Monday after dog-flu outbreak

Wake County Animal Center

Jessica Nieto-Hernandez, 11, was last seen around 2:50 a.m. near Roffler Street wearing a black sweatshirt, shorts and sneakers.

Wake deputies join search for 11-year-old last seen overnight

Jessica Nieto-Hernandez

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

An unsettled weekend, Dec. 2 - Dec. 3

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

The family of 15-year-old Delvin Ferrell, who was stabbed to death at Southeast Raleigh High School on Monday, is speaking live at a press conference. 

'Keep Delvin's name alive:' Family speaks out after 15-year-old killed in stabbing at Southeast Raleigh High School

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Here's a look at which bowl bids NC State, North Carolina and Duke could accept.

Which bowl game will NC State, North Carolina and Duke play in?

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NC State quarterback MJ Morris will enter the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

NC State QB Morris to enter transfer portal

MJ Morris (16) in the pocket. 

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said his still-evolving conference remains committed to having a championship game even as the College Football Playoff expands from four to 12 teams after this season.

Big 12 committed to title game even with CFP expansion and changes in league, Yormark says

Oklahoma_St_Texas_Football_63902

NC State football coach Dave Doeren will collect at least $175,000 in performance bonuses after the Wolfpack's 9-3 season. The pool of money for assistant coaches will go up, too.

NC State's strong finish means more money for Doeren. And Wolfpack assistants, too.

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Michael Penix Jr. passed for 319 yards and a touchdown, Dillon Johnson ran for 152 yards and two TDs and No. 3 Washington wrapped up a spot in the College Football Playoff, beating No. 5 Oregon 34-31 on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship.

Study: North Carolina one of the worst, most expensive states for health care

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WalletHub study: North Carolina one of the most expensive places to receive medical care