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North Carolina Expands “I Gave Birth” Wristband With HR 1 Funds

8/17/2026

33 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

North Carolina will use part of the $213 million HR 1 funding to expand the “I Gave Birth” wristband program.
Fifty hospitals and health departments in North Carolina and 24 states have adopted the wristbands since 2021.
Researcher Elisabeth Wright Burak warns HR 1 could cut Medicaid spending by $900 billion, while the CDC reports 80% of pregnancy deaths are preventable, with 649 deaths in 2024 and 42 in Tennessee and 29 in North Carolina.

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Story summary

North Carolina will use part of the $213 million HR 1 funding to expand the “I Gave Birth” wristband program.
Fifty hospitals and health departments in North Carolina and 24 states have adopted the wristbands since 2021.
Researcher Elisabeth Wright Burak warns HR 1 could cut Medicaid spending by $900 billion, while the CDC reports 80% of pregnancy deaths are preventable, with 649 deaths in 2024 and 42 in Tennessee and 29 in North Carolina.