NCHA is working to identify, standardize and disseminate evidence-driven practice changes, while concurrently designing policy solutions to support implementation. Our work falls into the three broad objectives of:
- Preventing unnecessary emergency department visits
- Improving the flow and care of patients after ED arrival
- Promoting strong transitions into community-based care
NCHA has convened statewide, multi-sector workgroups to determine how best to support member hospitals/systems through advocacy and programmatic efforts. The workgroups, representing health systems, DHHS, LME-MCOs, professional membership organizations, and patient advocates, successfully passed SB 630 which updates the involuntary commitment statute to better align with best practices. Ahead of the October 2019 implementation date of SB 630, the Behavioral Health Workgroups are providing recommendations and driving best practices with various portions of the legislation.
Behavioral health reform is one of NCHA’s legislative priorities. Learn more here.
See the complete bill text here.
NCHA has convened statewide, multi-sector workgroups to determine how best to support member hospitals/systems through advocacy and programmatic efforts. The workgroups, representing health systems, DHHS, LME-MCOs, patient advocates and stakeholder groups, agreed upon the following priorities to be reflected in proposed comprehensive legislation introduced in the 2017 legislative session:
- Revise the NC statute on involuntary commitment (122c Article 5).
- Preserve 3-way bed funding.
- Support the statewide expansion of case management.
NCHA Staff Contact

Nicholle Karim, MSW, LCSW
Senior Director, Policy Development
NC Healthcare Foundation
919-677-4105
nkarim@ncha.org