Despite State Law, Cooper Says He Wants to Expand Medicaid

Governor Roy Cooper said Wednesday he wants to immediately expand Medicaid coverage in North Carolina, even though state law prohibits him from doing so.

Speaking at an economic forum, Cooper says he wants to file with the federal government to amend the state's Medicaid plan under the Affordable Care Act by Friday. The law, also known as Obamacare, is expected to be in the legal crosshairs when President-Elect Donald Trump takes office later this month.

While the federal government would fund about 95 percent of the cost to expand North Carolina's Medicaid coverage, Cooper called on hospitals to help pay for the other five percent.

But Cooper doesn't necessarily have that power. In 2013, state legislators passed a law that blocked any Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. The governor says that infringes on his authority.

Senate leader Phil Berger said Wednesday that Cooper's announcement to seek approval from the federal government to cover more people a "brazenly illegal attempt to force" Medicaid expansion upon the state. Berger's office says lawmakers will ask federal Medicaid regulators to reject any expansion request Cooper makes.

House Speaker Tim Moore and Majority Leader John Bell also said state law prevents Cooper from unilaterally requesting more Medicaid coverage. They labeled Cooper's move a proposed tax increase. Cooper said the state's monetary match to provide the federal coverage could either come from taxpayers or an assessment on hospitals.