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From the Council Office of Steve Rao
January 16, 2023
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Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes. | |
MLK DAY TOWN OPERATIONS
The Town of Morrisville administrative offices and Cedar Fork Community Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Morrisville Senior Center will be open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Police, fire and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
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WE SHALL OVERCOME (First Baptist Church APEX)
“I am absolutely convinced that God is not interested merely in the freedom of black men and brown men and yellow men. But God is interested in the freedom of the whole human race, the creation of a society where all men will live together as brothers and every man will respect the dignity and worth of all human personality.”
- From a sermon entitled “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life”
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. December 11, 1960,
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Happy Makar Sankranti and Pongal | |
Makar Sankranti, the first festival of the calendar year, marks the first day of the sun's transit into the Makara (Capricorn) signaling the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. Celebrated across India, this ancient event is observed through different customs in each state of the country. | |
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Breaking News and Important Updates: | |
NC Abortion Law
GOP Leaders confirm that Details of NC Abortion Law in the works
(See NC News Section)
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For the 43nd Annual Signature Triangle MLK events, visit www.trianglemlk.com!
Start MLK Day with the 43d Annual Triangle Interfaith Breakfast at 7 am at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham!
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March at State Capitol at 11 am.
Virtual Lean into Your Purpose Panel at noon. Looking forward to hearing from Greear Webb! Triangle MLK Facebook Page, Twitter Page or YouTube Page!
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REMEMBERING MLK: THE SHOW MUST GO ON | |
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Throughout history of mankind, there have been real Avengers, real heroes, living among us.
These Leaders, during our darkest times in history, lit up the world with hope, changed their communities, their nations, by refusing to sit back and accept oppression, fear, and violence. They had no special powers. They were ordinary citizens united around a purpose larger than themselves, were able to change the world and their communities.
This weekend, we have the chance to honor and celebrate such a hero, such an Avenger, the inspiring freedom fighter Dr. Martin Luther King, who joins the likes of other human heroes such as Gandhi, Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
A free India, a post Apartheid South Africa, the right for black Americans to vote, desegregation were all made possible by the marches to freedom led by such heroes. At the time, many of the causes they fought for were not even popular or accepted, but they had to get out of their comfort zones, and fight for change.
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Today, we honor such a hero, the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.
We must not only remember his inspiring speeches, his brave struggle in the midst of a storm, but challenge ourselves to live our lives like him during these very divisive times. His march for racial equality in America was a marathon, not a sprint.
At each mile marker, he and his colleagues, experienced ridicule, humiliation, intimidation, and often imprisonment, but they never lost sight of their finish line, a nation, free from any discrimination where all citizens were treated equally under the law. John Lewis took so many beatings in Selma, so Black Americans could vote, but we still have more work to do.
We have come so far:
• Kathryn Johnson brought home John Glenn from the Heavens.
• Colin Powell served Chairman of the Joint Chief and Secretary. of State
• Condoleeza Rice served as Secretary of State.
• Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States.
• Lloyd Austin serves as Secretary of Defense.
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We have come so far but we still have not crossed finish line. We have more work to do.
Let us never forget that positive change in America has come from ordinary citizens, who were not willing to accept a divided and unjust society.
In the words of Freddy Mercury, The Show Must Go on.
Long Live the Dream.
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MAKE MONDAY AN MLK DAY OF SERVICE | |
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https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day
Sign up for the Town of Apex Day of Service at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apex-national-day-of-service-food-truck-rodeo-registration-475354597397.
United We Serve
The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.
On Monday, Jan. 16, and the days surrounding, AmeriCorps invites you to:
- engage with your community and create constructive action;
- act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity; and
- recommit by volunteering to serve others. You can clean up a public space, mentor a young person, or help those who are food insecure.
Together, we can strengthen ties to our communities and one other while we address critical issues that divide us.
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IT HAS BEEN AN INSPIRING MLK WEEKEND! | |
MLK Day of Service Blood Drive
Thanks to everyone who came out to our MLK Day of Service Blood Drive on Friday at Cedar Fork Community Center and to the Blood Connection for working with us to make this happen!
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Triangle Martin Luther King Wreath Laying Ceremony
Triangle Martin Luther King Wreath Laying Ceremony at MLK Memorial Gardens.
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Town of Holly Springs MLK Breakfast!
The highlight of the breakfast was to be inspired by NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls!
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APEX MLK YOUTH PANEL ON MENTAL HEALTH AND GUN VIOLENCE
Thanks to Chief Armstrong and all of the Youth who inspired us with their insights and ideas on how we can address the impact on gun violence and mental health of our youth.
(I will share more insights and details on this event in my next newsletter)
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SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY AT APEX FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
I enjoyed joining Mayor Gilbert, Council Member Ed Gray and the MLK Committee for the Social Justice Sunday at Apex First Baptist.
Thanks to the Pastor Dr. Frankie McClean for his inspiring words, on How We Shall Overcome, by showing up and not being silent in the midst of division, fear, and uncertainty.
(I will share their insights in my next newsletter as I want the MLK Message to continue beyond today)
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HOLLY SPRINGS MLK PROGRAM
I was honored to end Sunday at the Holly Springs Cultural Center for the MLK Program where we were entertained by wonderful music, dancing, and inspiring remarks from Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mahafsky, Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert, and a keynote from Dr. Dumas Harshaw.
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WILEY NICKEL SWORN IN AT APEX TOWN HALL | |
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I was honored to join other elected and community leaders at the District Swearing In Ceremony of Congressman Wiley Nickel. He was sworn in by North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and also, his District Office was introduced at the meeting.
Congratulations to Wiley and his team and we know that he will represent the Congressional District 13 with the same grace and humility which he represented us in the State Senate.
Garner Office to be announced soon!
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Enjoyed our Radio Nyra Interview with Bob Phillips from Radio Nyra.
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1917301445271106/?t=20
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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Sen. Tillis’ immigration bill was a rare display of political courage | Opinion
Read my Op Ed in Raleigh News and Observer
https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article270762997.html
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Jan 10th Council Meeting Highlights | |
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Highlights from the January 10, 2023 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:
- Quarterly Capital Project Report
- 2023 Year of the Trail
- National Mentoring Month
- NCDOT Paved Trails and Sidewalk Feasibility Study
- Floodplain Management
- Duke Energy Rezoning Request
For details visit https://bit.ly/3IYhBpp
#LiveConnectedLiveWell
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This Week in Morrisville: January 16th -22nd | |
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Meetings
Town Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
The Town of Morrisville administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The Cedar Fork Community Center will also be closed.
The Morrisville Senior Center will hold regular hours, and garbage and recycling services will both be on their regular schedule. Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
Jan 16 - 2 p.m - Wake County Commissioners Meeting
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Become a Town Advisory Committee Member
The Town is growing, and your opinion matters! Advisory Committees offer residents a chance to be involved in the Town’s decision-making processes by providing input on important matters to Town Council. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. Apply now on the Town website. Contact Town Clerk Eric Smith with any questions at (919) 463-6168 or esmith@townofmorrisville.org.
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Community Invited to Share Thoughts on 2023-24 Town Budget
Every year, the Town initializes budget development activities with efforts to gauge community needs, appropriate funding levels, and Town priorities. The Town will host various engagement opportunities throughout the budget process seeking input from the community, starting with the Budget Connection Portal, which is now open.
The Budget Connection Portal serves to provide the Town Council information about community concerns and priorities to help them with budget brainstorming activities during their annual retreat Jan. 27-29. Please take 10-15 minutes to complete this quick poll by 5 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Please contact the Budget and Strategic Management Department at BSM@townofmorrisville.org if you have any questions or need help with access. Other engagement opportunities will be posted following the retreat.
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Vendors Wanted for Town's Holi Celebration
Vendors and cultural performers are invited to be a part of the Town's Holi celebration, to be held March 18, from noon-3 p.m. at the Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050B Town Hall Drive. Food and artisan vendors are invited to apply, as well as cultural performers.
Click here to apply as a vendor. Contact Jashi Abhirajan at jabhirajan@gmail.com to apply as a cultural performer.
For questions about the Holi celebration, contact Leslie Haney, cultural resources specialist, at lhaney@townofmorrisville.org.
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Residents of HOAs Invited to Learn about Solar Options at Webinar on January 18
The Solarize the Triangle campaign will hold a webinar for residents in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Panelists will review the N.C. Solar Access Law and how it applies to HOAs, as well as best practices on how HOAs can comply with the new law. The Solarize the Triangle campaign has reached the Tier 5 pricing. The deadline to register for the webinar is Jan. 18, at 9 a.m.
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'Fight the Fall' Balance Workshop Offered at Morrisville Senior Center on January 18
The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC), 4117 Davis Drive, will host a “Fight the Fall” workshop for seniors on Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. The workshop will discuss the importance of balance and provide tips for how to prevent falls. Topics of discussion will include alarming statistics on balance and aging, why balance is so important (including why you need an annual balance assessment), what influences balance, how to improve balance, and how to reduce the risk of falls. To RSVP, please call the MSC at (919) 463-7140.
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Some Greenway Bridges to be Closed for Repairs in January
The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Span Builders to complete maintenance and repairs to pedestrian bridges located on Town greenways. This work will continue through January and may require temporary closures of bridges for short periods of time. The contractor will work with greenway users to ensure safe passage through work zones. For any questions, please contact Public Works at (919) 463-7070.
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Happy Trails Wake County Tree Recycling
Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails at Wake County parks. Drop off your undecorated holiday trees at designated locations from Dec. 26-Jan. 22. (All facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.) Local residents can drop off their trees at Lake Crabtree, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. Check out additional locations and hours here.
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Art and Photo Contest Winners Announced
The winners for the Student Art Poster Contest and the Stormwater Photo Contest have been announced. The grand prize winner of “Bees, Seeds, and Butterflies,” hosted by the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee, is Bryce Cao. Check out all the winning entries here. The winner of the “We Are All Upstream” photo contest is Nisarg Mounachar of Panther Creek High School.
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Trees Planted at Cedar Fork District Park
The Public Works Department recently planted 20 new large trees throughout Cedar Fork District Park. A variety of native trees were chosen to continue the Town’s efforts to create more native landscape installations and spread awareness about the benefits to the public. The tree installation was one of many projects meant to provide a more robust and beautiful park for all users.
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Have You Joined Engage Morrisville?
Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback with Town staff on various projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community. Current topics of conversation include the Town Center Project, What's Happening Around Town, and the Morrisville Smart Shuttle. Register and join the conversation today.
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Correction: MAFC Hours for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
An earlier version of Next Week in Morrisville announced that the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center, 1301 Morrisville Parkway, would be open during its regular hours on Monday, Jan. 16. However, the MAFC will be operating on modified hours. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pool will be closed for cleaning from 1:30-2:30 p.m., and the building will be closed for cleaning from 2-2:30 p.m.
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MAFC Hosting Teen Glow Swim Party on January 28
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, is inviting all youth ages 12-18 to join its Teen Glow Swim Party on Jan. 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy pizza and swimming under glow lights. The event is for youth only. Parents should drop off participants and pick them up at the end. A MAFC membership or single-visit pass is required for entry. Space is limited. Sign up here.
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Indoor Spring Triathlon to be Held at MAFC on February 5
Next Level Physio will host an Indoor Sprint Triathlon at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 7-11 a.m. Each leg of swimming, biking, and running will last only 10 minutes, and participants will be asked to go as far as they can in that time. Participants will receive T-shirts, snacks, and random prizes. Registration is now open for ages 12 and up here.
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Pool at the MAFC to be Closed February 6-24
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, will close its pool for needed repairs from Feb. 6-24. New non-impact exercise classes will be available during this time.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for a Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT), part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off season, experienced swim instructors, and desk staff who can work in the day and early evening. Learn more and apply here.
Check out additional employment opportunities in the Town here.
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Now Hiring: Join the Engineering Team
The Town of Morrisville has exciting career opportunities available now. The Engineering Department is now hiring for a Capital Projects Manager. Please click here for more information about the posting and to apply.
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Check out additional employment opportunities in the Town here.
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Open House to Provide Information on Proposed Commuter Rail on February 6
GoTriangle, the region’s transit authority, released a report early in January with the results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Feasibility study and information about options for a future commuter rail service in the area. The proposed Greater Triangle Commuter Rail would help provide a congestion-free transportation opportunity and serve a region slated to grow by more than a million people in the next 30 years.
GoTriangle will host an open house on Monday, Feb. 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to provide information about the study and the proposed commuter rail plan, which includes passenger service at 15 stations along approximately 43 miles of existing North Carolina Railroad corridor between West Durham and Clayton. The open house will be in Town Council Chambers at Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive.
A short presentation will be given at 6 p.m., and then repeated at 7 p.m. The remainder of the time will be available to ask questions about the study and the proposed plan. Participants will also be able to fill out a survey to provide their feedback about the plan.
Visit readyforrailnc.com/feasibility to read the report or to complete a feedback survey. The comment period will be open until Feb. 19.
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers' Market
The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive.
Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local.
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NCER Roundtable
Excellent presentation from NC Chamber President Gary Salamido at NCER Roundtable!
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Keel Labs Open House
Attended Open House with Keel Labs in Morrisville and looking forward to their success and growth!
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Employees Appreciation Lunch
Congrats to all of the Employees Recognized at our Appreciation Lunch this week.
(Employees will be featured in next newsletter)
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Piloted State Line on PBS Carolina!
Stay tuned for a great show this year on NC Issues along with Black Issues Forum!
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
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On Saturday, November 26th, I visited a number of businesses on Small Business Saturday. This went so well, that I am going to continue this throughout the year, visiting a business or two every Saturday or during the week. I also plan to focus on different markets like Technology, Health Care, Manufacturing, etc.
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com.
Thanks to all the companies who let me drop by.
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Yeet Street Disc Golf
Visit with Yeet Street Disc Golf at Cedar Fork District Park!
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National and North Carolina News | |
GOP Leaders Confirm NC Abortion Law Changes in Works.
As state lawmakers convened on Wednesday for the first day of the 2023 legislative session, abortion rights activists gathered outside the nearby State Capitol to protest anticipated efforts by Republicans to curtail abortion laws this year. Behind the scenes, effort are underway to build consensus among GOP lawmakers on what exactly they should propose.
Having won greater majorities in both the House and Senate in November, Republicans have promised to change the current abortion law, which restricts the procedure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. GOP leaders of both chambers have said there is a range of opinions in their caucuses on how many weeks the law should be rolled back by, and it remains unclear when Republicans will unveil a bill.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Speaker Tim Moore said that House Republicans had put together a working group in their caucus that represented a diverse set of opinions, to try to agree on a proposal with a similar group in the Senate Republican caucus. Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters that lawmakers should provide exceptions for rape and incest. State law currently allows an exception after 20 weeks only for medical emergencies, which critics say is too narrowly defined.
Our law does not allow an exception for rape, does not allow an exception for incest, and I think we need to change that,” Berger told reporters. “I also think that 20 weeks is, in essence, five months into a pregnancy. I think if you look at where the people of the state of North Carolina are, they think that that’s too long.” House Democratic Leader Robert Reives rejected the notion that North Carolinians support a more restrictive abortion law, as Republicans have suggested. “There’s no issue in my mind, where the citizens would fall on this, because of what you’ve seen in other states. You’ve seen states like Kansas and Kentucky, states that I think you would not normally expect to jump up and protect the right to (abortion),” Reives said.
Read More at https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article271056232.html.
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Aetna Awarded State Health Care Contract
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will no longer be the third-party administrator for the State Health Plan come Jan. 1, 2025. According to a press release by North Carolina state Treasurer Dale Folwell, Aetna has been awarded the Third-Party Administrative (TPA) Services Contract for the Health Plan. Aetna beat out BCBSNC and UMR, a health insurance company based in Wisconsin.
The change is significant because BCBSNC has been the TPA for more than 40 years. Blue Cross NC says that it will pursue a formal appeal of the decision.
“It is an honor for Blue Cross NC to serve North Carolina’s teachers, state employees, and their families,” the BCBS statement read. “We are deeply disappointed by the State Health Plan’s decision last month. This is a consequential decision that will impact more than 580,000 State Health Plan members and threatens North Carolina jobs. Blue Cross NC is pursuing a formal appeal and seeking more information through a public records request to ensure the best outcome for North Carolina and all State Health Plan members.”
Folwell told Carolina Journal in a phone interview Wednesday that potential contractors were asked to bid based on the same set of rules, and considerations included cost saving and technical requirements to keep the SHP solvent.
“We have no choice but to drive transparency, higher quality, higher access, and lower cost into our state health plan,” he said.
Folwell said the selection followed a Request for Proposals, a competitive bid process in which the plan solicited and selected industry-leading partners who reported exceptional customer service, technological resources, and professional support. The services under the contract include processing claims and offering a comprehensive network of healthcare providers.
In a press release, the Treasurer’s office characterized the deal with Aetna as a “partnership that focuses on transparency and lower costs.” The press release also said there are potential administrative cost savings of $140 million over the life of the five-year contract.
In August, Folwell shared his concerns about healthcare costs going up, including the possibility that contracts will be renegotiated upward next year.
“I am very concerned that the State Health Plan is going to need $5 billion more incremental dollars over the next several years in order for it to remain solvent,” he said. “This was part of the unfunded healthcare liability (that I have talked about for the past 12 years), and that is what we are facing right now.”
He also said a letter was recently sent to the lawmakers at the General Assembly telling them about the billions of dollars of future financial needs of the SHP.
“We have done all we can,” Folwell said. “We have renegotiated our Medicare Advantage contract at $0 cost to the taxpayer and zero premium to the members. We have renegotiated our pharmacy contract and a savings of $800 million over three years.”
The plan provides health care coverage for nearly 740,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents. The administrative contract, awarded by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, oversees healthcare spending of more than $17.5 billion over five years.
In September of 2011, there were already concerns about the health of the State Health Plan, after North Carolina state Auditor Beth Wood commented in a performance audit of the plan. According to the audit obtained by C.J. from Folwell’s office, Wood’s statements said the plan was at risk for overpaying claims.
“It must rely solely on BCBSNC auditors and information from the BCBSNC computer system to identify discount errors,” Wood’s statement read. “Because the Plan does not have access to contracts between BCBSNC and the medical providers, the Plan does not have a method for independently determining if an improper discount rate has been applied to a Plan member’s claims.”
Folwell has made pricing transparency and cost reduction in healthcare a centerpiece of his tenure as treasurer and, in recent months, has indicated his interest in running for governor in 2024. He has continued a battle with N.C. hospitals over profits from Medicare and COVID relief funds, using terms like “healthcare cartel” to describe the N.C. Healthcare Association. He’s also pushed lawmakers to pass a Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act, which would limit interest rates and collections on medical debt.
The three-year initial service period for the contract with Aetna begins Jan. 1, 2025, and continues through Dec. 31, 2027, with the option to renew for two one-year terms.
“Partnering with Aetna, which already employs over 10,000 people in North Carolina, will create a lot of new opportunities for the Plan and the members we serve,” Folwell said in the press release. “A change of this magnitude is a great opportunity for a fresh perspective, and we look forward to working closely with Aetna to create new ways to provide price transparency, increase access and quality while lowering the cost of health care for those who teach, protect and serve, and taxpayers like them.”
Starting Wednesday, nearly 600 Aetna employees have been assigned to work on the transition with State Health Plan director Sam Watts for the next two years.
Plan members will start receiving more information regarding the changes in 2024 before open enrollment for the 2025 benefit year.
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FDA ALLOWS PHARMA TO SELL ABORTION PILL BUT NC LAW IS COMPLICATED
In an effort to make abortion pills more accessible, a new Food and Drug Administration regulation will allow retail pharmacies to dispense the medication for the first time. However, a state “informed consent” abortion law may prevent the change from improving access in North Carolina. Mifepristone, which blocks the hormones needed for pregnancy development, is the first part of a two-pill regimen that ends a pregnancy within the first 10 weeks of gestation.
Until now, mifepristone could only be dispensed by licensed doctors and clinics and a handful of mail-order pharmacies. The FDA’s new guidance gives pharmacies the option to become certified to sell the drug to patients with a valid prescription. But a provision in that state law requires that a doctor be in the room when a patient takes the first abortion pill. And that could complicate how the FDA’s new regulation works in North Carolina.
Jay Campbell, the executive director of the NC Pharmacy board, said the law doesn’t prevent pharmacies from becoming certified to dispense mifepristone. But it’s unclear whether the law would require patients to go back to their doctor’s office to be observed while taking the pill. If that’s the case, the new regulations might not make the drug more accessible for patients in North Carolina, said Dr. Beverly Gray, a Duke OB-GYN. “That would be really tough to navigate,” she said. “It’s just easier to directly administer in clinic rather than have a patient come back to watch them swallow a pill.
The N.C. Medical Board, which regulates the medical profession, has not issued guidance to the state’s physicians on the issue and does not have immediate plans to, a spokesperson for the organization said. The state Attorney General’s Office is not authorized to give guidance to physicians, a spokesperson there said. “I’ve had colleagues that are just very confused about what’s going on,” Gray said. “It’s just unclear whether this is good news for North Carolina.”
Gray said she fears the state’s complicated abortion laws could dissuade retail pharmacies from stocking mifepristone altogether in North Carolina.
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV
A series of explosions rocked Kyiv on Saturday morning and minutes later air raid sirens started to wail as an apparent missile attack on the Ukrainian capital was underway.
Critical infrastructure in Kyiv was targeted, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Telegram.
An unidentified infrastructure object was hit in the city and emergency services were operating at the site of the strike, Kyiv’s city military administration said.
Explosions were heard in the Dniprovskyi district, a residential area on the left bank of the Dnieper River, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Klitschko also said that fragments of a missile fell on a non-residential area in the Holosiivskyi district on the right bank, and a fire broke out in a building there. No casualties have been reported so far.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether several facilities in Kyiv were targeted or just the one that was reported hit. The Ukrainian capital hasn’t been attacked with missiles since New Year’s night, Jan. 1.
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BIDEN MAKES PROGRESS WITH MEXICO AS HE ADDRESSES MIGRATION CRISIS
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador may have been one of the last world leaders to congratulate President Biden when he took office, but two days of talks have helped lead to a U-turn in what was at first an uneasy relationship.
The leaders found common ground on migration, economic integration, and fentanyl interdiction. López Obrador, who is known for being recalcitrant, ended their meetings with nothing but praise for Biden, particularly on issues surrounding migration across the border separating their countries.
"You are the first president of the United States in a very long time who has not built even one meter of wall. We thank you for that, sir," said López Obrador, lauding Biden as "a man with conviction" at the end of the North American Leaders' Summit.
It was a significant shift in tone, said Rafael Fernández de Castro, director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at University of California San Diego.
The thaw comes in the wake of a new program that Biden announced before his trip that will allow as many as 30,000 migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti to temporarily live and work in the United States, providing they apply for asylum from outside the country, among other conditions.
López Obrador praised the program, and encouraged Biden to work with Congress on a pathway to citizenship for Mexican people who have lived in worked in the United States for years after crossing the border illegally.
Read More at https://www.npr.org/2023/01/10/1148009189/talks-between-biden-and-mexicos-lopez-obrador-got-off-to-a-bit-of-a-rough-start.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND APPOINTS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO PROBE BIDEN CLASSIFIED RECORDS
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed former federal prosecutor Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified government records at the private home and office of President Joe Biden.
Hur is authorized “to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter,” Garland said in a public statement he made on the appointment at the Department of Justice.
Hur served as the U.S. Attorney for Maryland from 2018 through 2021, after being nominated for that post by then-President Donald Trump, a Republican.
Garland’s announcement, which cited “extraordinary circumstances,” came hours after Biden and his lawyer said that a second batch of classified documents recently had been found in a garage in the Democratic president’s private home in Wilmington, Delaware. That discovery was made on Dec. 20.
A first batch of classified documents was found on Nov. 2 by lawyers for the president in an office in a Washington think tank that Biden had used while a private citizen between 2017 and 2021, after serving as vice president in the Obama administration.
It is not known why lawyers for Biden waited more than one month to search for government records in other locations associated with the president.
The discovery of the first batch of classified records was only publicly reported on Monday by media outlets and later confirmed by the White House.
The White House has not answered why the discovery was not disclosed when it occurred, which was one week before the November midterm congressional elections.
The first discovery also occurred nearly three months after FBI agents raided the Florida residence of Trump, who is under criminal investigation for retaining thousands of government records, many of them classified, which were found during the raid.
Presidents and vice presidents are required, by law, to return government records to the National Records and Archives Administration when they leave office.
Read More at https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/12/special-counsel-named-to-probe-classified-records-found-at-bidens-private-home-and-office.html.
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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