North Carolina’s state health plan is poised for a major overhaul Friday, leading to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most of the plan’s 750,000 members.

The State Health Plan covers teachers, state employees and retirees, and many local government employees and retirees. Advocates that represent those groups say they’re disappointed in the increases.

It’s been in dire financial straits for some time. It was projected to run out of money in 2026 unless changes are made, with a $500 million shortfall next year and a $1.4 billion deficit in 2027.

Big changes will be made Friday, however, when the health plan’s board of trustees is planning to vote on raising premiums as well as making other tweaks to what people on the plan pay. Premium increases will depend on people’s salarie

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