Hamilton Barber

While 2025 saw significant federal and state legislative changes, the health care landscape in North and South Carolina continues to evolve in 2026. Health care providers, legal counsel, investors in health care providers, and health care executives must remain attentive to these developments as they will shape strategic planning and compliance efforts throughout the year. While not an exhaustive list, we summarize below several key legislative and regulatory issues we are monitoring in 2026. 1.

Following a year of significant regulatory changes and market realignments, the health care landscape in North and South Carolina continues to undergo significant transformation driven by federal policy shifts, state legislative developments, and evolving industry trends. Health care stakeholders across both states must remain attentive to these developments as they will likely shape strategic planning and service delivery in 2025 and beyond.

The Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA), 18 U.S.C. § 220, is a criminal statute that prohibits knowingly and willfully soliciting or receiving remuneration for referring patients to recovery homes, clinical treatment facilities, or laboratories, as well as paying or offering remuneration to induce referrals to, or in exchange for individuals using the services of, such facilities.