North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S976: Reduce Healthcare Costs & Protect Patients.
Status: Introduced, May 5, 2026
What the bill says
An act reducing healthcare costs and protecting patients.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REDUCING HEALTHCARE COSTS AND PROTECTING PATIENTS. Whereas, rising healthcare costs place a significant financial burden on individuals, families, employers, and taxpayers; greatly contribute to inflation; and make it increasingly difficult for residents to access essential healthcare services; and Whereas, North Carolina has intolerably high healthcare costs, with recent studies ranking the State 50th out of 50 in the United States; and Whereas, skyrocketing healthcare costs have resulted in over forty percent (40%) of Americans reporting some type of healthcare debt, according to one study; and Whereas, many patients face unexpected medical bills due to a lack of disclosure about out-of-network providers and a general lack of transparency in healthcare pricing, resulting in financial strain and hardship; and Whereas, patients and employers are often unable to compare the costs of medical services due to a lack of clear and accessible pricing information, hindering their ability to make informed decisions; Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PART I. PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY SECTION 1.1.(a) Article 3 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 58-3-182. Limits on cost-sharing. Prescription Drugs. - The cost-sharing for any health benefit plan for the coverage of prescription drugs shall not exceed the annual amount of two thousand dollars …
Sponsors
- Grafstein, Lisa (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20)
- Smith, Kandie D. (D, 5)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: CONSUMER PROTECTION, BUDGETING, PATIENT RIGHTS, DHHS, PHARMACEUTICALS, HEALTH SERVICES, INSURANCE, PUBLIC
Common questions
- What is S976?
- S976 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Reduce Healthcare Costs & Protect Patients.
- What does S976 do?
- In its own words: An act reducing healthcare costs and protecting patients.
- What is the status of S976?
- Introduced as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget (May 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored S976?
- Grafstein, Lisa (D, 13), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S976?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S976
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.