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Sunday Roundup
posted at 2009-03-01 22:15 | Last modified 2009-03-01 23:49
The N&O’s Dan Kane finally got some traction in the battle to open the state's Blue Cross contract. A 2006 law makes the terms of that contract confidential, but Kane found a loophole of sorts on claims processing costs. He reported Saturday that BCBSNC charges $10 per claim, exponentially higher than Medicaid processing. Not surprisingly, Blue Cross took issue with his characterization.
The Republican leaders in both chambers and House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman have gone on record saying they think the terms of the contract should be open for public scrutiny, even if only to prove that the contract isn't the problem. They say it's BCBS that wants the contract sealed. But Kane's article today says BCBS does not oppose opening up the contract:
Blue Cross said in its statement that it "supports the public disclosure of information contained in the contract to administer the State Health Plan, and has indicated this position to State Health Plan administrators."
So if everyone's in agreement that this contract (funded by taxpayer dollars) ought to be open for inspection, then what -- or who -- is the holdup here?
NC Sen. Richard Burr was tapped to give the GOP response to President Obama’s radio address yesterday. McClatchy’s Lisa Zagaroli has the highlights; the Ticker has the full text.
Charlotte's Jack Betts has a great story about outgoing health chief Leah Devlin’s 23-year crusade against secondhand smoke. WUNC's Rose Hoban also had a great Devlin profile Fri. morning; if you missed it, it's here.
Duke’s Save-a-Watt proposal had a rough week in both Carolinas. The AP has the details.
Fay-O’s Paul W says CNN helped Sen. Majority Leader Tony Rand track down his black relatives.
Farewells
Former DPI deputy secretary (and education advisor to former Gov Easley) JB Buxton has officially left the Pink Palace. Buxton’s last day at the department was Friday. He says he’s got some consulting work lined up, including a possible project with the Gates Foundation, where his former boss will also be pitching in.
N&O Ombudsman Ted Vaden says goodbye.
The rest of the story, for real: Radio legend Paul Harvey passed away at 90.
Following the money
Gov. Perdue may have to dip into the lottery fund to patch up the state’s flagging cash flow. Her directive last week stopped the latest transfer to counties, some of which had already budgeted the money for debt service. Char-O's Jim Morrill has more.
Perdue’s office also got the stimulus tracker up and running this week. You can follow the money at www.ncrecovery.gov. She’s also planning a similar site for all state grants and contracts. It was one of her key campaign promises, but the AP reports it won’t come cheap.
No love for polar bears: The News-Record’s Ryan Seals reports the NC Zoo won’t see any stimulus help. Those DC types apparently have an issue with frivolous diversions like zoos and casinos. Yes, they're actually classified together. Sheesh.
The VA-Pilot’s Jeff Hampton reports local officials in northeastern NC are scrambling to bid for stimulus money set aside for water projects.
Roanoke Rapids is furloughing all city employees in a desperate bid to close its budget shortfall. WRAL has the details.
Wilmington's Wayne Faulkner says Cape Fear Bank is the area’s second institution to find itself in trouble with the Feds.
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