Governor Roy Cooper is moving forward with Medicaid expansion after the North Carolina legislature approved the budget. Although he signed the bill into law in March, it was subject to budget approval. While Governor Cooper deemed the budget unfavorable, he emphasized that a decade of Medicaid expansion refusal had serious consequences. He is now instructing the Department of Health and Human Services to begin Medicaid expansion, allowing the budget to become law without his signature. This expansion will provide coverage to over 600,000 residents of the state.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has taken the initiative to kickstart the Medicaid expansion process in the state. This move comes in the wake of the state legislature’s recent approval of the budget.
Back in March, Governor Cooper had already signed the Medicaid expansion into law. However, the implementation of the program was contingent on the legislature’s approval of the 2023-2024 budget.
In a statement issued on September 22nd, Governor Cooper expressed his dissatisfaction with the overall budget, characterizing it as unfavorable. Nevertheless, he highlighted the critical issue that the legislature’s refusal to expand Medicaid over the past decade has resulted in life-and-death situations for many North Carolinians and posed a significant threat to rural hospitals across the state.
Governor Cooper emphasized his commitment to not allowing people in need to suffer further delays. Therefore, he has instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to initiate the process of expanding Medicaid, even as he allows the budget to become law without his signature.
The expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina is anticipated to extend coverage to over 600,000 residents of the state, addressing a pressing healthcare need.
