An important vote is coming up next week on House Bill 169, which would give the state treasurer access to costs paid to providers by the State Health Plan, and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The House Pensions and Retirements Committee will consider the bill on Tuesday at 2 p.m. This is the second and final hurdle for it before a House floor vote. We need you to contact the members of the committee to tell them to support H169 to bring transparency and cost savings to state employees, retirees, and even legislators! The State Health Plan is funded by tax dollars and it is important to all North Carolinians that the Plan be able to use its own data to negotiate rates, fees and charges. Currently, this is not possible without permission from the third-party administrator -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Providers and insurance companies are lining up to oppose the bill because they want to keep what you’re paying for procedures a secret. SEANC is aligned with State Treasurer Dale Folwell’s assessment that it is unacceptable that state employees aren’t allowed to know what we are paying for health care. This is responsible and common-sense legislation.

Please contact the committee members to tell them to vote in favor of H169 at this week’s meeting. You can visit the committee's webpage to access their contact information or download our list below.