North Carolina governor establishes commission to address rising health care costs

June 30, 2026 - 21:51

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order on Tuesday, June 30, creating the Health Care Affordability Commission. The new body is tasked with tackling the state's escalating medical expenses and finding ways to make care more accessible for residents.

The commission will bring together experts from the medical field, insurance companies, and consumer advocacy groups. Their goal is to identify the main drivers of high costs and propose concrete solutions. Stein emphasized that families across the state are struggling with premiums, deductibles, and surprise bills, and that the current trajectory is unsustainable.

Specific areas of focus will include hospital pricing transparency, prescription drug costs, and the impact of consolidation in the healthcare industry. The commission is expected to deliver its first set of recommendations within the next year. Stein stated that while the problem is complex, the state cannot afford to wait any longer to act. The executive order also directs state agencies to cooperate fully with the commission's work.