NC's new healthcare laws you probably missed

NC's new healthcare laws you probably missed

Author: WUNC News July 11, 2025 Duration: 27:43
A wide-ranging healthcare bill that was recently signed into law would make it easier to get flu medications and make it easier for medical professionals to practice in North Carolina. It was among several noteworthy bills that made it across the finish line just before lawmakers left for their summer break. Because they were complicated and non-controversial, they got overshadowed by bills on hot topics like DEI and LGBTQ issues. Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, helped develop the legislation and joined WUNC's Colin Campbell to discuss its impacts on the state's healthcare system. Sawrey also addressed the potential impacts of the federal megabill signed by President Donald Trump on Medicaid.

Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:56
This episode is the fourth installment in our Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is based in the small town of Pembroke, and this corner of Robeson County has one of…
Main Street NC: Hurricane-ravaged downtown rebuilds on higher ground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:46
This episode is the third installment in our new Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. When Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina in 2016, every business on Main Street in the small Columbus County town of…
Main Street NC: The state's fastest-shrinking towns seek a turnaround [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
This is the first installment in our new Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. In the coming months, we’ll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on…
A long-awaited budget bill passes and casinos strike out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:27
A high-drama week at the North Carolina legislature brought quick action on an overdue state budget, following a decision by Republican leaders to drop a proposal to add four new casinos in rural counties. Rep. Lindsey P…
Happy hours and Sunday ABC store runs: NC reconsiders alcohol laws [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:28
State House lawmakers advanced a 39-page rewrite of North Carolina’s alcohol laws this week. The bill includes major changes to how liquor is sold at restaurants, bars and ABC stores. To sort through the details, Lynn Mi…
Key senator talks budget delays, vetoes and eastern NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:27
A hectic one-day session at the legislature resulted in six veto overrides and an effort to weaken the governor’s appointment powers — but no state budget deal. To sort through the action, Senate Majority Whip Jim Perry,…
Top NC House Democrat criticizes legislature's slow summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:09
With the passage of a state budget delayed until September, Democrats in the legislature are increasingly impatient with Republican leaders’ slow progress in wrapping up this year’s long session. House Democratic Leader…