New push to fine hospitals for billing rape victims for forensic exams
The state reimburses hospitals for the costs; still, some send bills to victims or insurance companies
Lawmakers want hospitals to be fined for billing sexual assault victims for forensic exams By Ashlea Kosikowski | May 6, 2021 at 5:16 PM EDT - Updated May 6 at 7:38 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Lawmakers are considering fines for hospitals that bill sexual assault victims for the cost of forensic exams.
In North Carolina, sexual assault victims are not supposed to get a bill for a forensic exam. Currently, the state reimburses the hospitals. Still, sometimes hospitals send bills to the victim or the victim’s insurance company. CPP reported state law already requires hospitals and providers to accept payments from the state “as payment in full.”
Cathey was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to the release.
Walker is currently being held at the New Hanover County Sheriff s Office under a $50,000 secured bond, according to a Monday news release. He also has pending court dates in July for speeding, reckless driving to endanger and operating a vehicle with no license, according to N.C. Courts.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run fatality is encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or through the Wilmington, NC PD app to submit anonymous tips.
Reporter Krys Merryman can be reached at 910-343-2272 or kmerryman@gannett.com.
Mitchel Carlton Walker, 28, of Wilmington, was charged Monday in connection with the felony hit-and-run that happened on South College Road and Wilshire Boulevard in Wilmington just after 2 a.m. Saturday. According to a news release from the Wilmington Police Department, Richard Cathey was walking west on South College Road at Wilshire Boulevard when he was hit by an unknown black car. The car did not stop after hitting him.
Richard Cathey was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to the release. He was a great guy, Justin Cathey said. He was one of the funniest guys I knew. He picked everyone up when they were down. He was amazing, and a very proud brother and family man.
“No one gets a day off,” said Emmanuel Ibarra.
His father, Manuel Ibarra, opened the first local El Cerro Grande location in the former Galleria shopping center near Wrightsville Beach in 1991. Now he, his children, and extended family operate 10 restaurants in the Wilmington and Jacksonville areas.
This year s Cinco de Mayo celebration is a little different, though.
It s the first since last year s pandemic-related chaos that prompted a flood of online orders. And it will mark 30 years people have celebrated the holiday with the Ibarra family at its restaurants.
And it really is a family event. Emmanuel Ibarra does the accounting. His sister, Evelin Ibarra, handles social media. And Manuel s youngest, 16-year-old Yareli Ibarra, is learning the business now, starting with hosting duties. Several other friends and family members manage, own, and cook at the locations around town.
Sevaro Partners with Local Coffee Shops to Educate the Public on How to Spot Stroke
- Coffee Cup Sleeves will display the BEFAST Acronym -
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NEW YORK, May 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Sevaro Health, a leader in telestroke and teleneurology is partnering with coffee shops across the country during the month of May which is Stroke Awareness Month. The effort will aim to educate 14,000 coffee shop customers on how to identify an individual who may be suffering from a stroke. Adorning the coffee cup sleeve with the BEFAST acronym will allow baristas to spread awareness on what to look for and how to react if someone is showing symptoms of a stroke as well as direct customers on how to assess their risk for stroke.