The SEANC View

Freeze Era Over: State Health Premiums, Hospital Pay, and the Push for Transparency

State Treasurer Brad Briner stated this week that State Health Plan premiums will likely increase again in 2027 for state employees and retirees. In this episode, we discuss the need for true transparency in hospital pricing to control costs.
We also cover $14 billion in pension gains, but no COLA for retirees, the 2026 election filing window, and SEANC's political engagement. We then close with a light segment on Spotify Wrapped and memories of the K&W Cafeteria.

Budget standstill draws criticism from both sides of the aisle

The SEANC team discusses North Carolina’s stalled budget, upcoming candidate filing, and the political fallout of a late session. They delve into State Auditor Dave Bullock’s rapid report on DHHS, which reveals $386 million in lapsed salary funds, the state’s high vacancy rates, and the debate over using lapse funds versus properly funding positions.
The episode also covers the State Health Plan’s new Lantern program and upcoming town halls, honors DOT and Wildlife employees commended for their response to Hurricane Helene, and wraps with Thanksgiving traditions.

Can State Government Compete? Inside NC's HR with Staci Meyer

This week, State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer visits the podcast to discuss state employment in North Carolina. Meyer outlines the state’s hiring challenges (about a 19–20% vacancy rate and long time-to-hire), explains how law changes and technology will speed recruiting (resume/profile applications, temp-to-perm, pooled hiring, pay/classification flexibility), and discusses retention, retiree concerns, Gen Z recruitment, and plans to modernize hiring.
We also discuss recent North Carolina news — a delayed DOT contract, DMV improvements, and a stalled state budget. 

North Carolina, the nation must tackle health care costs

Health care is in the spotlight in this episode of the SEANC View podcast. The hosts discuss the State Health Plan's new Lantern program and upcoming town halls, explore rising healthcare costs and competition, and debate Certificate of Need rules and public health responses.
They then interview SEANC General Treasurer Timothy Morgan about his 28 years in corrections, staffing and wage challenges, community outreach by districts, and the importance of mental health support and checking in on one another.

Veterans Day Edition: A conversation with DMVA Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette

In honor of Veterans Day, Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, a third-generation veteran and head of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from the Air Force Academy to public service, her current mission to make North Carolina truly the "most veteran-friendly state," and why she accepted the role.
She outlines her priorities — sector collaboration, transition support, and economic opportunity — explains the department’s services (veteran service centers, state veterans homes, and cemeteries), and describes a statewide roadshow to help employers hire and retain veterans and military spouses ahead of Veterans Day.

Lantern Health: State Health Plan launches free surgery program to offset costs

In this episode of The SEANC View, our team speaks with Thomas Friedman, executive administrator of the North Carolina State Health Plan, about the recently launched Lantern program. Lantern offers state employees and teachers access to free elective surgeries (orthopedics and bariatrics) with high-quality providers across the state, including travel and lodging coverage when needed.
They discuss how Lantern aims to reduce overall health costs through price transparency and bundled care, upcoming expansions (including maternity care), and efforts to manage pharmaceutical expenses. The conversation also touches on rural access, provider incentives, and open enrollment.

Budget Standoff, Map Drama, and the Fight for Raises and COLAs

This episode covers a fast legislative week in North Carolina: the controversial mid-cycle congressional map changes, a stalled budget fight over tax cuts and pay raises, and how the impasse affects state employees and retirees. We discuss DMV and efficiency committee hearings, the upcoming retirement system valuation, and encourage members to share short videos about how the budget delay impacts their lives.

Girl Power Episode: Duke-Aetna Deal, Lantern Plan & What It Means for You

Host Samantha Cline, Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley break down recent health care developments: the public Duke–Aetna negotiation and its resolution, the new voluntary Lantern network, and the UNC–Humana dispute.
The episode also covers retiree system updates and transparency concerns around investments and contracts, a federal appellate ruling on gender-affirming care coverage, the potential impacts of the federal shutdown and state budget uncertainty, and lighter segments on the State Fair and Gen Z attitudes toward government.