Healthcare

I proudly sit on the Health House Standing Committee. 

My husband is a vascular surgeon at Cone Hospital. We met before he started studying for his MCAT so I was along for the entire “ride:”

3 application cycles; 4 years of medical school; 5 years of general surgery residency; 2 years of vascular surgery fellowship. Also, my sister-in-law is a nurse practitioner at Rex Hospital. I truly understand the trials and tribulations of the medical community.

Across NC, 3.1 million people rely on Medicaid, representing 28% of the population. And more than 685,000 North Carolinians currently have health care coverage due to Medicaid expansion. According to DHHS, 1 in 4 North Carolinians; 2 out of 5 children in NC; 3 in 10 people with disabilities in NC; 5 in 8 people in nursing facilities are eligible for Medicaid. This term, I supported modernizing Medicaid dental rates (HB 60), adding psychiatric hospitals to Medicaid HASP (HB 242), and adjusting the FMAP trigger for Medicaid expansion (HB 653).   

This often causes exorbitant costs and delayed access to care for patients. This term, I supported transparent drug pricing (HB 624), and removing the prior authorization mandate (HB 434). 

In 2023, 10% of NC High school students attempted suicide and 16% made a plan for a suicide attempt (source). I have lost a loved one to suicide; I am forever scarred by this tragedy and will always do everything I can to increase funding to mental health providers and mental health access for those in need.  

As a woman and mother of two girls, I am a staunch supporter of women's right to choose. Our OBGYNs are trained physicians and should be trusted to have confidential discussions with their patients on what is medically best for them without the fear of unclear legislation potentially putting them at risk of being sued or losing their medical license. 

Guilford County has an extremely high infant mortality rate (9.2% in 2023 vs 6.9% in NC and 5.6% in US) and 70% of infant deaths were Black (source). We must do more to support pregnant women across all trimesters and throughout the first year post-partum.

Prescription Drug Pricing.  

Community Health Center Grants for LARCs.  

Enhanced Reg. of Registered Res. Facilities.  

Protection Against Pregnancy Discrimination.