Carolina Journal Radio No. 725: Direct primary care could help fight chronic diseases, disabilities

An increased focus on direct primary care could lead to major benefits in the fight against chronic diseases that lead to disabilities. That’s the conclusion of the latest report from Katherine Restrepo, the John Locke Foundation’s director of health care policy. Restrepo explains why DPC holds so much promise for addressing one of the most vexing problems in American health care. As policymakers in Washington consider potential repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, one observer who’s watching their actions closely is Tevi Troy, chief executive officer of the American Health Policy Institute. Troy is also former deputy secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a White House official under former President George W. Bush. Troy discusses the reforms he would like to see as efforts continue to repeal, replace, or reform Obamacare. Some state lawmakers are focusing increased attention on fighting opioid abuse. Republican legislators and Democratic N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein recently stood together to promote the potential benefits of the STOP Act. You’ll hear highlights from their presentation. Competition has helped make the Triangle one of the best places in the nation for college basketball. That same type of competition could help improve public education in the Triangle and across the state. That’s the assessment from Richard Vinroot, the former Charlotte mayor and N.C. charter school pioneer who also had firsthand experience with Triangle basketball competition as a member of the UNC Tar Heels playing for Coach Dean Smith. Vinroot explains why he believes competition plays such a key role in education reform initiatives. Payments tied to North Carolina’s eugenics compensation program have been delayed because of ongoing court cases. Jon Guze, the John Locke Foundation’s director of legal studies, explains the significance of the legal dispute and its impact on eugenics survivors.