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Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health Care

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We find ourselves in a better place than we might have been when it comes to health care policy. Remaining ever vigilant and recognizing that there is still much work to be done, today should be marked by gratitude that efforts to take health care from millions have, in this moment, failed. While Sen. John […]

Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health Care

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We find ourselves in a better place than we might have been when it comes to health care policy. Remaining ever vigilant and recognizing that there is still much work to be done, today should be marked by gratitude that efforts to take health care from millions have, in this moment, failed. While Sen. John […]

What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health Care

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The U.S. Senate’s vote this afternoon moves the debate forward to potentially repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. What that will look like is anybody’s guess. Senators Burr and Tillis both voted to proceed, but it is unclear what they will be proceeding to. Every proposal to come forward this summer would leave tens […]

What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health Care

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The U.S. Senate’s vote this afternoon moves the debate forward to potentially repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. What that will look like is anybody’s guess. Senators Burr and Tillis both voted to proceed, but it is unclear what they will be proceeding to. Every proposal to come forward this summer would leave tens […]

July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely Today

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

It appears that the U.S. Senate will vote today on some sort of health care action. What they’ll be voting on, however, is unclear even to some of them. This appears to be a race so that the Senate can say that they got something done. Please call Senator Tillis and Senator Burr today. Ask […]

July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely Today

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

It appears that the U.S. Senate will vote today on some sort of health care action. What they’ll be voting on, however, is unclear even to some of them. This appears to be a race so that the Senate can say that they got something done. Please call Senator Tillis and Senator Burr today. Ask […]

Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep Calling

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

No one seems completely clear on whether the Senate will vote next week on health care or what they will vote on if they do. That might be deliberate in part — an effort to reduce the pressure on their members who will be home this weekend. Or it could be because the Senate leadership […]

Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep Calling

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

No one seems completely clear on whether the Senate will vote next week on health care or what they will vote on if they do. That might be deliberate in part — an effort to reduce the pressure on their members who will be home this weekend. Or it could be because the Senate leadership […]

Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects

By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Yesterday, the Senate unveiled a revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. According to a report from our friends at the North Carolina Justice Center the changes, and their effects, include: Allowing consumers to use health savings accounts to pay insurance premiums, which would disproportionately benefit higher-income earners, doing little to make insurance affordable […]

Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects

· by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Yesterday, the Senate unveiled a revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. According to a report from our friends at the North Carolina Justice Center the changes, and their effects, include: Allowing consumers to use health savings accounts to pay insurance premiums, which would disproportionately benefit higher-income earners, doing little to make insurance affordable […]

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward a beloved community where everyone has enough. Unfortunately, work continues in the U.S. Senate to repeal the ACA with an alternative plan being developed almost entirely […]

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward a beloved community where everyone has enough. Unfortunately, work continues in the U.S. Senate to repeal the ACA with an alternative plan being developed almost entirely […]

Heal the Sick

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health care for all. The score from the Congressional Budget Office makes it undeniably clear that the American Health Care Act takes us farther from that goal. It would put the lives of many at risk and negatively impact the […]

Heal the Sick

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health care for all. The score from the Congressional Budget Office makes it undeniably clear that the American Health Care Act takes us farther from that goal. It would put the lives of many at risk and negatively impact the […]

2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House. The Washington Post provides two helpful graphics here and here. More is being written than most of us can fully absorb, but  Politico offers a key observation: On close reading, the budget is less a credible attempt to eliminate, […]

2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House. The Washington Post provides two helpful graphics here and here. More is being written than most of us can fully absorb, but  Politico offers a key observation: On close reading, the budget is less a credible attempt to eliminate, […]

Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take Action

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Congressional leaders are still in their home states for their spring recess, but your voices are still important. Please attend town halls held by our elected leaders, and please request town halls from those who don’t have them planned. In addition, some health advocacy organizations at the national level are urging grassroots advocates to make […]

Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take Action

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Congressional leaders are still in their home states for their spring recess, but your voices are still important. Please attend town halls held by our elected leaders, and please request town halls from those who don’t have them planned. In addition, some health advocacy organizations at the national level are urging grassroots advocates to make […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other state employees making less than $100,000/year. The bill would appropriate more than $700 million for the first year of these raises. Introduced by Reps. Malone […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other state employees making less than $100,000/year. The bill would appropriate more than $700 million for the first year of these raises. Introduced by Reps. Malone […]

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the Senate’s deadline for new bills has passed and the House’s deadline on non-money approaches. This Raleigh Report and another one later in the week will try to catch up with the flood of bills. Newly Introduced Bills CHILDREN AND […]

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the Senate’s deadline for new bills has passed and the House’s deadline on non-money approaches. This Raleigh Report and another one later in the week will try to catch up with the flood of bills. Newly Introduced Bills CHILDREN AND […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid expansion might learn something. Dr. Erica Pettigrew, medical director of the Orange County Health Department, shared four different cases from a single day’s work where […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid expansion might learn something. Dr. Erica Pettigrew, medical director of the Orange County Health Department, shared four different cases from a single day’s work where […]

UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Thank you for every call, email, and letter to Congressional leaders that led to today’s decision to pull the American Health Care Act without a vote. Those committed to a compassionate and just vision for our society have had many moments of despair in recent months. Today was a reminder that persistence matters. There is […]

UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Thank you for every call, email, and letter to Congressional leaders that led to today’s decision to pull the American Health Care Act without a vote. Those committed to a compassionate and just vision for our society have had many moments of despair in recent months. Today was a reminder that persistence matters. There is […]

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through programs that serve women, people of color, those of low income (for poor women of color, that would mean the same old same old), the arts, the environment, education, job creation, and science.  Couple it with the proposed health […]

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through programs that serve women, people of color, those of low income (for poor women of color, that would mean the same old same old), the arts, the environment, education, job creation, and science.  Couple it with the proposed health […]

Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders have gone where elected leaders sometimes go – blaming the poor for being poor. Perhaps it’s to assuage their consciences or justify their current proposal which would make it more expensive for those with the fewest resources and limit […]

Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders have gone where elected leaders sometimes go – blaming the poor for being poor. Perhaps it’s to assuage their consciences or justify their current proposal which would make it more expensive for those with the fewest resources and limit […]

Taking Away Health Care

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Despite evidence that the Affordable Care Act is more popular and more needed than ever, some Republicans in Congress have proceeded with partisan plans to repeal Obamacare while dismantling Medicaid as we know it. Among other things, our friends at Save My Care explain that the plan put forward on Monday would: End ACA tax […]

Taking Away Health Care

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Despite evidence that the Affordable Care Act is more popular and more needed than ever, some Republicans in Congress have proceeded with partisan plans to repeal Obamacare while dismantling Medicaid as we know it. Among other things, our friends at Save My Care explain that the plan put forward on Monday would: End ACA tax […]

The ACA Remains in Place; 2017 Open Enrollment ends January 31

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Affordable Care Act is still in place for 2017, and as our friends at the NC Justice Center remind us, nothing has changed for this year. Plans, prices, deadlines, and requirements to have coverage are the same. The deadline for open enrollment is January 31. To get free, expert help enrolling, visit Keep NC […]

The ACA Remains in Place; 2017 Open Enrollment ends January 31

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Affordable Care Act is still in place for 2017, and as our friends at the NC Justice Center remind us, nothing has changed for this year. Plans, prices, deadlines, and requirements to have coverage are the same. The deadline for open enrollment is January 31. To get free, expert help enrolling, visit Keep NC […]

Let’s Keep Marching

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my tiny square of personal space in the heart of Washington DC, literally shoulder to shoulder with a half million others. But there I was, pink hat and all. I chose to be there because my grandmother cleaned other people’s […]

Let’s Keep Marching

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my tiny square of personal space in the heart of Washington DC, literally shoulder to shoulder with a half million others. But there I was, pink hat and all. I chose to be there because my grandmother cleaned other people’s […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion in the reform package. Providing health insurance for everyone and closing the gap for one-half million North Carolinians, currently without health insurance, is a moral […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion in the reform package. Providing health insurance for everyone and closing the gap for one-half million North Carolinians, currently without health insurance, is a moral […]

Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

The North Carolina Council of Churches celebrates today’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act.  For decades, the Council has supported universal health care, and while the current version of Obamacare does not reach that ultimate goal, it has proved to be a crucial step forward. We are grateful to the justices of the […]

Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

The North Carolina Council of Churches celebrates today’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act.  For decades, the Council has supported universal health care, and while the current version of Obamacare does not reach that ultimate goal, it has proved to be a crucial step forward. We are grateful to the justices of the […]

Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE: After this blog was posted, the final budget was unveiled and passed by the House and Senate. The large reductions in Medicaid reimbursement rates mentioned in the blog below did not materialize. The approach of an agreement to keep North Carolina state government operating with a balanced budget, as required under the state constitution, […]

Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE: After this blog was posted, the final budget was unveiled and passed by the House and Senate. The large reductions in Medicaid reimbursement rates mentioned in the blog below did not materialize. The approach of an agreement to keep North Carolina state government operating with a balanced budget, as required under the state constitution, […]

Health Crunch for the Vulnerable

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For most North Carolinians, the myriad choices that comprise the state budget may affect the quality of their children’s education, or whether their favorite state park is kept in good shape, or whether the DMV has enough employees to keep wait times to a minimum. Then there are our neighbors for whom budget decisions can […]

Health Crunch for the Vulnerable

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For most North Carolinians, the myriad choices that comprise the state budget may affect the quality of their children’s education, or whether their favorite state park is kept in good shape, or whether the DMV has enough employees to keep wait times to a minimum. Then there are our neighbors for whom budget decisions can […]

Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The political stakes and motives are plain to see. President Obama and his Democratic allies on Capitol Hill are locked in a desperate struggle with the Republicans who control the U.S. House. Neither side wants to be painted as villains in the sorry saga of the partial federal government shutdown, or even worse, in any […]

Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The political stakes and motives are plain to see. President Obama and his Democratic allies on Capitol Hill are locked in a desperate struggle with the Republicans who control the U.S. House. Neither side wants to be painted as villains in the sorry saga of the partial federal government shutdown, or even worse, in any […]

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an editorial in “The New York Times” are reaching a national audience. One of the articles is by Peter Carman, pastor of Binkley Baptist Church, a Council member congregation. Alliance of Baptists: ‘Not One Step Back’: Moral Mondays in Raleigh, […]

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an editorial in “The New York Times” are reaching a national audience. One of the articles is by Peter Carman, pastor of Binkley Baptist Church, a Council member congregation. Alliance of Baptists: ‘Not One Step Back’: Moral Mondays in Raleigh, […]

Affordable Care Act’s Third Anniversary — A Reason to Celebrate

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

On March 23, the Affordable Care Act celebrated its third anniversary. The North Carolina Council of Churches has long supported universal health care, and we remain committed to that goal and to celebrating the progress made through ACA. Our friends at Faithful Reform in Health Care have offered a number of ways to recognize this […]

Affordable Care Act’s Third Anniversary — A Reason to Celebrate

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

On March 23, the Affordable Care Act celebrated its third anniversary. The North Carolina Council of Churches has long supported universal health care, and we remain committed to that goal and to celebrating the progress made through ACA. Our friends at Faithful Reform in Health Care have offered a number of ways to recognize this […]

For the Good of All God’s Children — Accept Federal Money Offered to NC

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians is in danger of being rejected by our legislature. The Senate has already declined to accept these funds (SB4), and we are told the House […]

For the Good of All God’s Children — Accept Federal Money Offered to NC

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians is in danger of being rejected by our legislature. The Senate has already declined to accept these funds (SB4), and we are told the House […]

Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Over the holidays, North Carolina State Health Director, Dr. Laura Gerald, put out a press release urging all North Carolinians over the age of 6 months to get their annual flu shot. Public health professionals have deemed this year’s flu season to be the worst in recent years. By the end of December 2012, North […]

Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Over the holidays, North Carolina State Health Director, Dr. Laura Gerald, put out a press release urging all North Carolinians over the age of 6 months to get their annual flu shot. Public health professionals have deemed this year’s flu season to be the worst in recent years. By the end of December 2012, North […]

Update on Free AED and CPR Program

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

In the spring of this year, the NC Council of Churches and our partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC and the American Red Cross, awarded 34 free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to congregations across the state. This was done in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from sudden […]

Update on Free AED and CPR Program

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

In the spring of this year, the NC Council of Churches and our partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC and the American Red Cross, awarded 34 free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to congregations across the state. This was done in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from sudden […]

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ is debated and cuts as well as revenue sources are considered. People of faith and compassion are being called to serve as lobbyists for the […]

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ is debated and cuts as well as revenue sources are considered. People of faith and compassion are being called to serve as lobbyists for the […]

Health Care for All God’s Children — ACA Upheld

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches rejoices in today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which affirms the decades-long work and concerns of the NCCC for those without health care. This decision means that millions who had no health insurance and thus restricted health care will have their needs met. […]

Health Care for All God’s Children — ACA Upheld

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches rejoices in today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which affirms the decades-long work and concerns of the NCCC for those without health care. This decision means that millions who had no health insurance and thus restricted health care will have their needs met. […]

New County Health Rankings Point to Disparities in Health

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The 2012 County Health Rankings report, recently released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, points to major disparities in health by geographic location – with urban areas like Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg and Guilford counties experiencing overall better health than many rural parts of the state like Columbus, […]

New County Health Rankings Point to Disparities in Health

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The 2012 County Health Rankings report, recently released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, points to major disparities in health by geographic location – with urban areas like Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg and Guilford counties experiencing overall better health than many rural parts of the state like Columbus, […]

Free AEDs and CPR Trainings for Congregations

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Have you ever been in church when someone suffered a heart attack?  If so, you know that helpless feeling of having to wait for help to arrive as critical seconds, then minutes go by.  In 2009, Representative Becky Carney went into sudden cardiac arrest while at the legislative building, and her life was saved with […]

Free AEDs and CPR Trainings for Congregations

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Have you ever been in church when someone suffered a heart attack?  If so, you know that helpless feeling of having to wait for help to arrive as critical seconds, then minutes go by.  In 2009, Representative Becky Carney went into sudden cardiac arrest while at the legislative building, and her life was saved with […]

Nonprofit Offers Pharmacy Program

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Sanford Herald

Giang said N.C. MedAssist representatives wanted to travel to each county to meet with eligible residents and explain the enrollment process. The organization contacted the North Carolina Council of Churches and expressed interest in partnering with faith-based organizations willing to host one-day enrollment programs. The Rev. Mechelle Myers of Sanford's New Endland AME Zion Church received an e-mail from the Council about the initiative and was the first person to respond.

Nonprofit Offers Pharmacy Program

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Sanford Herald

Giang said N.C. MedAssist representatives wanted to travel to each county to meet with eligible residents and explain the enrollment process. The organization contacted the North Carolina Council of Churches and expressed interest in partnering with faith-based organizations willing to host one-day enrollment programs. The Rev. Mechelle Myers of Sanford’s New Endland AME Zion Church received an e-mail from the Council about the initiative and was the first person to respond.

November is American Diabetes Month

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The American Diabetes Association has launched a new faith-based program called "Live Empowered" which is designed to assist churches with integrating diabetes awareness messages and life application principles into worship services. Also, in observance of American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is sponsoring "Super Diabetes Sunday" on November 13th. Super Diabetes Sundays will include materials and giveaways to help your congregation join the fight against diabetes.

November is American Diabetes Month

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The American Diabetes Association has launched a new faith-based program called “Live Empowered” which is designed to assist churches with integrating diabetes awareness messages and life application principles into worship services. Also, in observance of American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is sponsoring “Super Diabetes Sunday” on November 13th. Super Diabetes Sundays will include materials and giveaways to help your congregation join the fight against diabetes.

Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The drumbeat of bad bills continues. Suffice it to say that it’s a tough year for those of us who have advocated for public policy decisions promoting social justice, protecting vulnerable people, and caring for God’s creation. We can’t respond to every bad idea or bad bill. On many of these issues, we feel like we are butting our heads against a wall. Our tendency may be to throw up our hands in despair.

Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The drumbeat of bad bills continues. Suffice it to say that it’s a tough year for those of us who have advocated for public policy decisions promoting social justice, protecting vulnerable people, and caring for God’s creation. We can’t respond to every bad idea or bad bill. On many of these issues, we feel like we are butting our heads against a wall. Our tendency may be to throw up our hands in despair.

Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

New bills on the budget, care of creation, criminal justice, election and campaign law, gambling, guns, health and health care, immigration, mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse services, public eduction, and taxes.

Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

New bills on the budget, care of creation, criminal justice, election and campaign law, gambling, guns, health and health care, immigration, mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse services, public eduction, and taxes.

2010 Session Wrap-Up

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday was the deadline for Governor Perdue to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly in the last weeks of the session. Interestingly, yesterday she let a bill become law without her signature.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, and more.

2010 Session Wrap-Up

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday was the deadline for Governor Perdue to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly in the last weeks of the session. Interestingly, yesterday she let a bill become law without her signature.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, and more.

Raleigh Report: General Assembly Addressing Childhood Obesity

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity epidemic is drastically affecting North Carolina. In 2009, North Carolina ranked 14th worst in the nation in childhood overweight and obesity for children ages 10-17, with more than one-third (33.5%) of our children being overweight or obese.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, Health, Housing, People with Disabilities, Public Education, and more.

Raleigh Report: General Assembly Addressing Childhood Obesity

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity epidemic is drastically affecting North Carolina. In 2009, North Carolina ranked 14th worst in the nation in childhood overweight and obesity for children ages 10-17, with more than one-third (33.5%) of our children being overweight or obese.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, Health, Housing, People with Disabilities, Public Education, and more.

Short Session Convenes, Senate Adopts Budget in Record Speed

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The summer’s “short session” of the North Carolina General Assembly convened on May 12, a continuation of the 2009 session. Its primary task will be to adjust the 2010-11 budget adopted last year, though it can also take up bills that made it through one house last year, bills coming from study commissions, and bills amending the state Constitution.

Short Session Convenes, Senate Adopts Budget in Record Speed

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The summer’s “short session” of the North Carolina General Assembly convened on May 12, a continuation of the 2009 session. Its primary task will be to adjust the 2010-11 budget adopted last year, though it can also take up bills that made it through one house last year, bills coming from study commissions, and bills amending the state Constitution.