Greg Murphy

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, held by Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, as part of efforts to challenge vulnerable GOP incumbents. Republicans dismiss the move as a Democratic strategy to divert resources, while Democrats highlight Hudson’s record on health care and working families. Hudson, who previously chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee, defeated Democrat Nigel William Bristow by 18 percent in 2024.

The Trump administration's 2025 pledge to reduce prior authorization barriers in healthcare has faced criticism as insurers delay full implementation, while patients and advocates report little improvement. AHIP claims 6.5 million prior authorizations were eliminated, but critics call the pledge 'performative' and lacking enforcement. A House committee recently advanced a bill to mandate transparency in Medicare Advantage prior authorization processes.