Taking the Pulse, A Health Care and Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 187: South Carolina Hospitals and Healthcare Industry Trends with Thornton Kirby, SCHA President
Among the many sweeping changes to the Medicaid program included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), Congress established new statutory caps on state-directed payments (“SDPs”) in Medicaid managed care. SDPs have...more
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L.119-21) (the “OBBB”) passed by slim margins in the U.S. Senate (51-50) and U.S. House (218-214) and was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025....more
Within the first six months of President Trump’s second term, his Administration and the GOP have already implemented significant policies that are reshaping health care in the United States. Through his Administration’s...more
On the afternoon of July 4, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – comprehensive budget reconciliation legislation that represents the core of President’s second-term domestic agenda and...more
On February 25, House Republicans narrowly passed a budget resolution that requires the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in spending cuts over the next 10 years. Budget realities—including the fact...more
As budget negotiations heat up in Washington, Medicaid has emerged as a key target for cost-cutting measures. With policymakers looking to trim federal spending while maintaining commitments to Social Security and Medicare,...more
For episode 187, Heather and Matthew welcome back a favorite recurring guest of the show, Thornton Kirby, President of the South Carolina Hospital Association. Thornton shares exciting updates on recent SCHA initiatives,...more
1. No Significant Regulatory Reform in Alabama. Unlike many states in recent years, Alabama’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws remain essentially unchanged. While it is not unusual for bills to be introduced making...more
“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” – Raymond Chandler, The High Window That’s typically true of legislation that...more
Economic Development - YES WEEKLY: Mayor Joines and Rep. Donny Lambeth Announce $35 Million State Appropriation to Support Economic Development in Winston-Salem - Mayor Allen Joines and Rep. Donny Lambeth announced...more
KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local...more
Agriculture - CBS 17: Farming in heat wave: What NC growers have to do to keep crops, livestock safe - Extreme heat brings unique challenges for the state’s $100 billion agriculture industry. Farmers in central North...more
No legislative business was conducted this week, as leaders from the House and Senate continue to negotiate a state budget deal. The sticking point between the two chambers continues to be over income tax reductions and...more
In a new form of outreach from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Labor, a letter was issued to employers, plan sponsors, and insurance issuers (the...more
Economic Development - BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA: Kelly King-led effort seeks $50M in state funding to launch innovation effort - North Carolina lawmakers and Gov. Roy Cooper have proposed that the state give $50 million...more
Medicaid Expansion Although states began expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act over a decade ago, this week, North Carolina became the 40th state to do so. Democratic Governor Roy Cooper signed HB 76: Access to...more
Economic Development - WUNC: $2B of NIH funding drives North Carolina research economy North Carolina researchers were awarded more than $2 billion in National Institutes of Health research grants last year. That's lower...more
The House this week passed the health care bill that would expand Medicaid coverage and legislators considered other bills on a variety of topics. Medicaid Expansion - The House on Thursday voted by an 87-24 margin to...more
On March 23, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that would expand Medicaid for an estimated 600,000 North Carolinians who currently lack health care coverage but do not actively qualify for Medicaid....more
Economic Development - WRAL TECH WIRE: VinFast delays production of EVs in NC until 2025 - VinFast, the electric SUV maker out of Vietnam with a $4 billion commitment to open an factory in Chatham County, told WRAL News...more
The General Assembly continues to move at a quick pace, with both chambers advancing several of their priority policy proposals this week. A major announcement was also made this week by legislative leadership - an agreement...more
With the 2023-2024 legislative session kicking off in earnest in late January, legislators in both chambers have begun filing bills across many issue areas. While many questions remain, especially related to the potential for...more