This week, legislators returned to Raleigh for a two-day session covering criminal justice issues such as Iryna’s Law in response to the murder of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail train.

However, pay raises or the state budget were noticeably absent from this week’s agenda.

SEANC’s new statewide officers join The SEANC View Podcast this week to talk about their upcoming term, which starts on Oct. 1. Incoming President Wendell Powell, First Vice President Emily Jones, and Second Vice President Stacie Crabtree discuss priorities such as member advocacy, unity, retiree support, and worker safety.

Before the interview, we reviewed the legislature’s session, which included discussions on Iryna’s Law, mental health services in North Carolina, criminal justice, pay raises, and the lack of a state budget.

We also discuss the Duke–Aetna dispute and its potential premium impact on all State Health Plan members. The State Health Plan Board of Trustees took action today to ensure continuity of care if Duke and Aetna cannot reach a deal. That includes direct and personalized outreach to all 22,000 members who have selected a Duke primary care provider and approximately 40,000 members who have filed a claim through Duke this year.