Jaymie Baxley

Southern Pines

Rural Health and Medicaid Reporter at North Carolina Health News

Reporter covering rural health and Medicaid for @nchealthnews. Previously: @ThePilotNews, @The_Robesonian and @forestcitytdc

Articles

Wilson County installs naloxone kiosks to fight opioid overdose deaths

1 month ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

Naloxone is a widely available medication that can bring someone back from the brink of death in minutes, but cost, stigma and other barriers have kept the opioid overdose antidote out of reach for many of the North Carolinians who need it most. In Wilson County, a new initiative aims to break down those barriers by giving residents free, 24/7 access to naloxone — no questions asked.
Three rural NC counties map out paths to reducing overdose deaths

1 month ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

Across rural North Carolina, the opioid epidemic has left a devastating mark — overdose deaths have surged, families have been shattered and communities have struggled to find resources to fight the crisis. More than 4,440 overdose-related deaths were reported across the state in 2023, with rural counties accounting for about 41 percent of the toll.
With Medicaid in Washington’s crosshairs, North Carolinians rally against federal cuts

1 month ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

Addressing a crowded ballroom at a Raleigh hotel last Wednesday, Gov. Josh Stein said he is “gravely concerned” about congressional Republicans’ plans to slash federal funding for Medicaid.
Rural NC counties would suffer most from Medicaid cuts

2 months ago | thecharlottepost.com | Jaymie Baxley

Published Sunday, March 16, 2025 8:00 pm By Jaymie Baxley | North Carolina Health News JAYMIE BAXLEY | NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS Seventy-eight of North Carolina’s 100 counties are classified as rural by the NC Rural Center. A push by congressional Republicans to slash federal funding for Medicaid could have “dire consequences” for the more than 1.2 million rural North Carolinians who depend on the program.
Martin County seeks operator to bring rural hospital back to life

2 months ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

For the past 19 months, officials in rural Martin County have been working on an experimental plan to resurrect the community’s shuttered hospital. Martin General, the 43-bed facility that for seven decades served generations of residents in the Eastern North Carolina county, closed its doors in August 2023.
NC Medicaid expansion faces uncertain future as GOP eyes federal cuts

2 months ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

In December 2023, North Carolina became the 40th state to expand eligibility for Medicaid, opening up the government-funded health insurance program to low-income adults who previously made too much money to qualify. Nearly 630,000 people have gained coverage since expansion took effect, surpassing state health officials’ initial two-year enrollment projection months ahead of schedule.
A Holistic Approach to Health Care Is Helping to Keep Rural North Carolinians Housed

2 months ago | reasonstobecheerful.world | Jaymie Baxley

This story was originally published by North Carolina Health News. In 2022, North Carolina launched an experimental initiative to address the nonmedical health needs of low-income residents by using Medicaid dollars. This first-in-the-nation effort, known as the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), has provided assistance to across three largely rural regions of the state.
Rural North Carolina counties would suffer most from Medicaid cuts

2 months ago | northcarolinahealthnews.org | Jaymie Baxley

A push by Congressional Republicans to slash federal funding for Medicaid could have “dire consequences” for the more than 1.2 million rural North Carolinians who depend on the program. That was the key takeaway from a report released in January by the Center for Children and Families at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy.
Successful rural county health program could go statewide — if politics don’t get in way

Feb 10, 2025 | citizen-times.com | Jaymie Baxley

Show Caption Hide Caption After losing her home to Helene, North Carolina woman sees community uniteValerie White lost her home to Tropical Storm Helene, and has been living in a donated trailer. She reflects on how the community has united since the storm. Successful rural county health program could go statewide—if politics don’t get in the wayIn 2022, North Carolina launched an experimental initiative to address the nonmedical health needs of low-income residents by using Medicaid dollars.
Medicaid work demands likely to be a Republican priority

Feb 9, 2025 | thecharlottepost.com | Jaymie Baxley

Published Sunday, February 9, 2025 9:59 pm By Jaymie Baxley | North Carolina Health News FILE PHOTO President Donald Trump's administration is leading a Republican push for work requirements as a condition for Medicaid benefits. With President Donald Trump back in power, a Republican-led push for work requirements for Medicaid is gaining momentum.