Democratic Governors Want to Expand Health Care to Over 700k People But GOP Lawmakers Thwart Efforts

Democratic governors in North Carolina, Kansas, and Wisconsin are trying to expand health care access to over 700,000 people but have been blocked at every turn by GOP legislators.
In North Carolina, recent studies show that Gov. Roy Cooper’s Medicaid expansion plan would cover an additional 500,000 North Carolinians. But GOP lawmakers refuse to consider the plan and have delivered a state budget that completely ignores Medicaid expansion.
In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly rolled out a Medicaid expansion plan just weeks after taking office. Her plan would have brought affordable health care to 150,000 more Kansans but GOP legislative leaders refused to pass it.
In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers’ budget centered on expanding Medicaid to cover an additional 82,000 Wisconsinites and save the state $324 million over two years. But instead of expanding health care to those who need it, GOP lawmakers in the state have said the expansion will “never” happen.
“Medicaid expansion saves lives and saves money,” said DGA Communications Director David Turner. “Democratic governors will keep fighting to deliver affordable health care to more families. If GOP lawmakers care about their constituents’ well-being, they will get on board or get out of the way.”