North Carolina Justice Center

Learn how overhauling school funding by switching to a weighted student formula will impact North Carolina public schools in the latest blog post from NC Justice Center Senior Policy Analyst Kristopher Nordstrom. Read the full blog post: https://lnkd.in/e6U9y6T2

While U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently said some of the most egregious cuts to Medicaid are now “off the table,” it is outrageous and misguided that the House passed a framework earlier this week that outlines plans to chop and gut this vital insurance program. Public opposition is clearly working, but we must remain vigilant in holding Congress accountable to the people they serve. Our latest blog post from Health Advocacy Director Nicole Dozier provides an in-depth look at the ongoing challenges to NC Medicaid and why continued advocacy is essential to protect health care access for millions of North Carolinians. Read more and learn how to take action: https://lnkd.in/esFTBYPK

We are excited to welcome Dana Mangum as Interim Executive Director of the NC Justice Center. Dana brings three decades of experience to the role—including over 15 years of experience leading statewide nonprofits—and has deep expertise in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and equity implementation. We are thrilled to have Dana at the helm and look forward to remaining a powerful force for justice under her leadership!? Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eipKmhBW

We believe that sustainable improvement within the health care system starts by listening to people and including them in every step of the process. That’s why we teamed up with United States of Care to hear the real health care challenges of rural North Carolinians and craft impactful solutions. “I wound up getting septic because I originally didn't want to go for care because I was worried about the expense.” —White woman, Caldwell County "When I told [the receptionist] I'd have to pay my bill using four cards—but I would be there—she said, ‘Oh, well, just go and run your hands through the couch, and find change in your couch.’ I said, ‘Ma'am, I don't even own a couch.’” —Black woman, Wayne County "When I started my process for disability, some of our records couldn't be found [because of the merger]. At one point in my chart system, they had me off medication [and] they had me on old medications.” —Hispanic woman, Wayne County North Carolina leads the nation as the most expensive state for health care. Communities are facing lower wages due to increased health care spending on premiums and other out-of-pocket costs, and North Carolinians are struggling to pay for everyday living expenses. Many are unable to afford health care, with far too many delaying or foregoing care altogether. Click this link: https://lnkd.in/eHwRg6Ux to read more stories like these in our new report and learn ways that policymakers can honor the needs of patients, particularly in some of the state’s most under-resourced communities.

United States of Care and the North Carolina Justice Center have unveiled a new report that examines affordability and access barriers in the most expensive state in the country. In conversations with rural North Carolinians we heard that health care is unaffordable, unpredictable, and inaccessible. Along with stories from real people, our report offers: Solutions for more affordable, accessible care Steps to protect against medical debt Recommendations for policymakers to restore trust and equity Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eHwRg6Ux

Congress could potentially cut Medicaid, threatening the health coverage of millions of North Carolinians—including children, seniors, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. The NC Justice Center is standing up to protect Medicaid, and we need you with us. Join our action hour on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 1 PM as part of a National Call-in Day to Protect Medicaid. We’ll guide you through calling your congresspeople to tell them: Hands off our Medicaid. Register now at bit.ly/HandsOffMedicaid. Can’t make it? Call when you can—this fight is ongoing. Let’s protect health care for all North Carolinians.

On Wednesday night, our health advocacy engagement coordinator Heysoll Rodriguez Soto had the pleasure of participating in the Public Service Dialogues series hosted by North Carolina Central University’s Students in Public Service Academy. Heysoll and co-panelists Angelique Knight and Beatrice Beaubrun shared their professional journeys, discussed the impact of social justice work in directly impacted communities, and offered advice to students interested in public service careers.

The NC Justice Center has released our 2025 legislative agenda, where we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for the rights of all North Carolinians. As dangerous executive orders from the Trump administration threaten the livelihoods of the communities we serve, we stand ready to challenge these injustices through legal action, grassroots advocacy, and high-level lobbying. We call on state leaders to act boldly—especially for our neighbors in Western NC still recovering from Hurricane Helene. We must build a more resilient, equitable future where every household has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Read our full agenda here: https://lnkd.in/eQgQ5w-y ?

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s powerful legacy as a civil rights leader and labor advocate. His unwavering fight for justice reminds us of the critical role organizing and unions play in building a better world. In North Carolina, over 390 unions and over 133,000 members are keeping Dr. King’s vision alive. Together, we can create a society where dignity, equality, and worker power prevail. Let us continue the work of transforming lives through bold struggles for justice.

After two years of extraordinary service to the North Carolina Justice Center, Reggie Shuford will be moving on from his role as Executive Director, effective February 7, 2025.?While we will miss Reggie’s leadership, energy, and passion for our mission, we understand and support his decision to return to Pennsylvania as he embarks upon the next phase of his career as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independence Foundation. Read our full statement:?https://lnkd.in/eg-demz7