Topics Related to SHP Press Release
State Treasurer Brad Briner’s effort to modernize and improve North Carolina’s investment strategy became law today. In a ceremony this morning at the executive mansion, the 2025 Investment Modernization Act was signed by Gov. Josh Stein. The landmark reforms in the legislation, House Bill 506, will shift sole responsibility of the investment decisions of the state pension plan from the treasurer to a newly created, multi-member Investment Authority tasked with increasing investment returns.
After months of negotiation, The Department of State Treasurer (DST), along with the State Health Plan (Plan), has reached an untenable impasse with CVS Caremark (Caremark) which refuses to honor its current contract with the State Health Plan. The negotiations with Caremark have been unsuccessful which potentially endangers the financial well-being of the Plan and its members who serve the state of North Carolina every day.
The State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees met today to make pivotal decisions on the future direction of the Plan with actions to address its $507 million deficit. The board approved changes to benefits for the 2026 benefit year, which will begin Jan. 1, 2026. Member premiums will not be voted on until the August board meeting.
State Treasurer Brad Briner released the following statement in response to the House’s proposed state spending plan.“State House leaders have taken the needs of state employees to heart in this budget proposal,” Briner said. “The House proposal fully funds the pension plan and increases funding to the State Health Plan to help in our effort to provide affordable, high-quality health care for state workers. Investments made in salary increases and cost-of-living bonuses will help ensure that the state can retain top talent.”
State Treasurer Brad Briner released the following statement on the Senate’s proposed budget spending plan.
Sam Watts has been named to the North Carolina State Health Plan Board of Trustees, State Treasurer Brad Briner announced today. Watts was named Executive Director of the North Carolina Retirement Systems by Treasurer Briner in January 2025. He previously served as Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan and as the legislative liaison and senior public policy advisor for the Department of State Treasurer. Treasurer Briner’s appointment of Watts fulfills the requirement that a state employee must be a representative on the 10-member Board of Trustees.
Dr. Brian Miller, a practicing hospitalist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a Nonresident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, has been named to the North Carolina State Health Plan Board of Trustees, State Treasurer Brad Briner announced today.Dr. Miller also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he has taught an MBA course on health insurance for almost a decade.
State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, expressed support today for the N.C. Supreme Court’s (Court) ruling in favor of New Bern eye surgeon Dr. Jay Singleton. The Court vacated a Court of Appeals’ decision and ruled that Mr.
State Health Plan and Aetna leaders today visited with state employees in Wilmington as part of their months-long “road tour” to formally introduce the Plan’s new third-party administrator to members in every reach of North Carolina.Officials from both sides of the partnership spoke and answered questions from Plan members at UNC-Wilmington. An Aetna-themed bus was stationed at the event, at which attendees could check biometrics like blood pressure and receive flu shots.
State Health Plan and Aetna leaders today visited with state employees in Winston-Salem as part of their months-long “road tour” to formally introduce the Plan’s new third-party administrator to members in every reach of North Carolina.Officials from both sides of the partnership spoke and answered questions from Plan members at Forsyth Technical Community College. An Aetna-themed bus was stationed at the event, at which attendees could check biometrics like blood pressure and receive flu shots.