Raleigh, N.C. — September 16, 2025 — The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership (IOPL) today announced their 2025 Hometown Forum Series, a nonpartisan conversation broadcast statewide that brings together legislators and governmental leaders, policy experts, and representatives from the healthcare sector to discuss the consequential issues in North Carolina’s healthcare landscape.
Now in its tenth year, the Hometown Forums will examine four topics on four different local campuses this fall.
Forums will be filmed before a live audience in partnership with Spectrum News and will be aired statewide on Spectrum News, as well as made available on the Spectrum News 1 website.
Sarah Rudlang, host of In Focus on Spectrum News, will serve as moderator for each of the Hometown Forums in this year’s series.
“By putting elected officials and subject-matter experts on the same stage, we help North Carolinians hear competing ideas clearly, respectfully, and with real-world context,” said Brad Young, Executive Director of IOPL.
The 2025 Hometown Forum Series is sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC).
Fall 2025 Schedule
- October 7 – Johnston Community College (Smithfield)
Topic: The Healthcare Regulatory Environment in North Carolina
Confirmed panelists include:
– Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett)
– Sen. Gale Adcock (D-Wake)
– Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, Secretary, NC DHHS
– Josh Dobson, President & CEO, NC Healthcare Association
Scheduled dates and topics are listed below, with the final roster of panelists to be announced in the coming weeks:
- October 14 – Duke University (Durham)
Topic: Insurance Markets, Costs & Competition - October 21 – Meredith University (Raleigh)
Topic: Medicaid, Medicare & Coverage Pathways - October 28 – Louisburg College (Louisburg)
Topic: Pharmaceuticals, PBMs & Drug Pricing
Format & Audience
Each forum features two elected officials (one Republican, one Democrat) and two policy experts. Panelists have one minute for initial responses, followed by a moderated rebuttal and cross-question period.
Forums are free and open to the public. Spectrum News will air these forums twice on the following Sunday of the forum, as well as being available on Spectrumlocalnews.com.
About the North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership (IOPL)
The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership is a nonpartisan nonprofit building a more ethical, inclusive, and prepared pipeline of public leaders across the state. IOPL equips emerging and current leaders with the knowledge, tools, and relationships needed to serve in elected office, government, and community leadership roles. Core programs include the IOPL Fellows Program, and Women on Board. Learn more at iopl.org.