Carolina Journal Radio No. 766: Parity law unnecessary to boost N.C. telemedicine

Telemedicine can play an important role in the future of North Carolina health care. But that doesn’t mean the state needs a law forcing insurers to pay health care providers the same amount of money for services provided through technology as they would for in-person visits. Katherine Restrepo, the John Locke Foundation’s director of health care policy, explains why North Carolina should not follow the lead of other states that have adopted so-called “telemedicine parity” laws. Speaking of government restrictions on health care, North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law continues to stifle innovation and reduce options for patients. Dr. Jay Singleton, a New Bern ophthalmologist, offers a firsthand account of the CON law’s negative impact on his ability to provide the best services for his patients. Driverless cars are heading to North Carolina’s roads. A state legislative committee recently asked experts in the field what the state should do to prepare for these new vehicles. You’ll hear their responses. Charlotte is one of two American communities attracting increased attention from the U.S. Justice Department. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently visited the Queen City to announce the creation of a new federal violent crime task force targeting Charlotte. Sessions explained how that group –  and another focusing on western Pennsylvania –  will work to target violent criminals. The General Assembly recently returned to Raleigh for a day, but lawmakers didn’t end up doing much business. A session that was originally designed to address state constitutional amendments, judicial reform, and other matters ended up producing only a handful of appointments to state boards and commissions. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, recaps the latest legislative action.