Medicaid policy experts think North Carolina could be the next state to expand Medicaid, Politico reported Nov. 30.
Experts say the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the risk of rural hospital closures could persuade conservative lawmakers to support expansion, the report said.
According to the outlet, North Carolina is most likely to be the next state to expand Medicaid. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said there is a growing coalition of people supporting Medicaid expansion, and the state's Republican legislative leaders are behind the proposal after years of opposition.
South Dakota voters passed Medicaid expansion through a ballot initiative in November, leaving 11 states that have not passed an expansion program.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, will also push Medicaid expansion as she enters her second term. Deals to expand the program failed in the state's legislature in 2020, 2021 and 2022.