RALEIGH — State lawmakers expressed concern Tuesday the long-awaited transformation of the state Medicaid system to a managed care format might have missed the mark in a fundamental area.

There’s an old maxim in American politics, usually attributed to former U.S. Senator and Nixon administration cabinet secretary Daniel Patrick Moynihan, that “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.” Would that Moynihan were still alive today so that he could direct a reminder of this simple truth toward North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.

RALEIGH — More foreign-born doctors educated in the U.S. are seeking visa waivers to practice medicine in North Carolina. But health care professionals say federal rules must be changed to help plug physician gaps in medically underserved areas of the state.

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper continues pushing for Medicaid expansion. State Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said he and three co-sponsors plan to reintroduce Carolina Cares, proposed legislation to open Medicaid rolls to more people. Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, said forget about it. It’s not going to happen.

DURHAM — The state’s largest health insurance company is partnering with five of North Carolina’s major health systems in a path-breaking, shared-risk payment model designed to improve the quality of patient care and drive down costs.

RALEIGH — For years, independent health-care providers have resisted consolidation in the medical market. State Treasurer Dale Folwell hopes to lend them a hand with State Health Plan payment reforms.

Past and prospective hospital patients will have an extra reason to celebrate when the clock strikes midnight and the date changes from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.