Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program

Cone Health Foundation has funded the Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program, an innovative program of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM), for the past three years. State legislators enter office with a wide variety of backgrounds and quickly assume responsibility for serving on committees and casting votes on all matters of state legislation. Decision-making on health-related policy is one of the most important roles of the members of the North Carolina General Assembly, given the size of budgets and the impact on individual health, community health, and the state economy. 

All legislators need access to basic information about health policy and health status in their state and legislative districts. To support informed decision-making, Health Policy Fellows are provided with the data and resources needed to make effective decisions about the health of our state.

The result of the Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program, is that legislators are highly engaged with presenters, NCIOM staff, and with their peers, across party lines and chambers. Bringing legislators together to learn more about policy issues, without pressure of having to vote or identify a policy solution, levels the playing field and creates a safe space for discussion. Participants come from a broad geographic cross-section of the state and represent both parties.