Winston Salem Times

North Carolina legislators trying to find ways to augment the funding from the $2 trillion CARES Act that was approved in late March to benefit local priorities. 

The House Select Committee on COVID-19 response health care working group heard in April from child care industry representatives. 

“Our child care facilities in our state have not hesitated in deciding to remain open to provide for this crisis,” said Tara Fish, director of the Harnett County Partnership for Children according to North Carolina Health News. “But unfortunately their hearts are bigger in their bank account balances, and many of them are recording cash flow issues.”

Other organizations the committee group has heard from include the state’s Emergency Medical Services and the state’s Coalition on the Aging. 

The groups spoke about the challenges they are facing in the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the report. Among concerns include fears of bringing COVID-19 home to their families, issues reaching constituents who are the most at risk and having enough revenue to keep the agencies’ doors open. 

The Coalition of Aging board chair Tracy Colvard said that the 211 information number has received more than 17,000 calls, according to the report. EMS workers were concerned with the availability of personal protective equipment. Regulations regarding how many licensed paramedics can ride in an ambulance were also waived.

According to North Carolina Health News, Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Winston-Salem) said, “On the 23rd we anticipate having a draft bill to the committee, two bills, we’ll be looking at.”

The Legislature is scheduled to meet on April 28.

One of the bills dealt with policy changes that were needed so the state policies will align with federal policies. This includes telehealth and billing changes. Lawmakers are working to allow phone call visits to be billed to Medicaid directly.