In a huge development for the medical aid programme in North Carolina, more than 600,000 people have enrolled in the state’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults. According to the governor’s office, the numbers were reached about a year after the programme was announced, reaching the state’s enrollment goal in about half the time that was originally projected.
Governor. Roy Cooper, who has always been a vocal advocate for Medicaid expansion throughout his terms, said that the numbers were a “monumental achievement.”
In a statement to the press, Cooper said, “From day one, we set out to get people covered and get them care. Now, more than 600,000 people have the peace of mind that they can go to the doctor, get needed medications and manage their chronic health conditions — that’s life-changing.”
The Medicaid expansion programme in North Carolina had passed with bipartisan support last year after Congress had offered states more financial incentives to join the program. Thus, it could be passed easily, despite the GOP opposing it for years. Under this program, the federal government bears around 90% of the expansion costs for Medicaid.