Includes whereas clauses.

Part I.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish and administer a Maternal Care Access Grant Program (Program) to award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among marginalized and underserved populations. Directs DHHS to establish eligibility requirements which must include that applicant organizations be led by individuals from communities that have historically experienced disparities in accessing health and human services. Directs DHHS to conduct outreach and provide application assistance. Lists three applicant criteria for which DHHS should give special consideration, including organizations that are based in and provide support for communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes and significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. Provides for grants between $10,000 and $50,000 and requires awards be geographically diversified. States further criteria for special consideration in recipient selection, including the previously described outreach criteria and other described program offerings. Requires DHHS to provide technical assistance to grant recipients in the ways described. Appropriates $5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Public Health (DPH) for 2026-27. Allocates funds in specified amounts to (1) establish a full-time Public Health Program Coordinator IV position with three listed duties; and (2) for grant awards and administration. Authorizes DHHS to hire a Public Health Program Coordinator. Directs DHHS to submit two reports to the specified NCGA committee and division, one by October 1, 2027, and one by October 1, 2028. Specified required content of each report. 

Part II.

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPH for 2026-27 to establish and administer a statewide Prostate Cancer Control Program to provide free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings and follow-up. Specifies the screenings and follow-up are available to all male North Carolina residents who are uninsured or underinsured, not a beneficiary of Medicare Part B or Medicaid, meet specified age and family history requirements, and have a household income below 250% of the federal poverty level.

Part III.

Repeals GS 58-65-92 and 58-67-76, which provide for coverage for mammograms and cervical cancer screening at hospital service corporations and health maintenance organizations. Recodifies GS 58-51-57, concerning coverage for mammograms and cervical cancer screening, as GS 58-3-271 and amends the statute as follows. Enacts ten defined terms. Directs every health benefit plan offered by an insurer in the State (was every policy or contract of accident or health insurance and every preferred provider benefit plan) to provide coverage for exams and lab tests for screening for early detection of cervical cancer and for low-dose screening mammography. Adds a new subsection to require health benefit plans offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental exam for breast cancer, as defined, to ensure that the cost-sharing requirements that apply are no less favorable than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to low-dose screening mammography. Lists four services for which an insurer is not required to reimburse a provider that is not contracted in the provider network of a health benefit plan offered by the insurer any rate more than the rate paid to a contracted provider: diagnostic, screening, or supplemental examination for breast cancer; low-dose mammography; breast ultrasound; and breast magnetic resonance imaging. References guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (was the American Cancer Society) regarding coverage for screening for the early detection of cervical cancer. Adds a new subsection providing for the statute's application when doing so would render the insured ineligible for a health savings account under section 223 of the IRS Code.

Amends GS 135-48.51 making the State Health Plan subject to GS 58-3-271 as amended. Effective July 1, 2026, appropriates $5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the State Treasurer for 2026-27 to ensure statutory compliance.

Applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 2026.

Part IV.

Recodifies GS 90-701 (Billing of anatomic pathology services) as GS 90-705.

Enacts GS 90-702 to defined six terms applicable to Article 41, now titled Transparency in Healthcare Provider Billing Practices. Enacts GS 90-704 to require healthcare providers who are not contracted with an insurer to participate in the provider network of a health benefit plan to accept the reimbursement amount provided by the insurer for breast cancer prevention services provided to individuals under a health benefit plan. Bars providers from billing a patient covered under a health benefit plan or requesting additional reimbursement from the insurer. Makes conforming changes to the title of Article 41. Applies to services provided on or after October 1, 2026.

Part V.

Effective July 1, 2026.