John, there is no upside to taking health care away from millions of Americans.

Yet Washington Republicans passed a new budget bill that will do just that, even though Donald Trump promised Medicaid and Medicare wouldn’t be touched.

Let’s be clear: Americans who rely on Medicaid and federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act will get sick and die because of this decision. And those of us who are covered by private insurance will be harmed, too.

We spent nearly a decade working to expand Medicaid in North Carolina — to help folks get the coverage they need to stay healthy, boost our rural health care system, and help grow our economy.

In 2023, when I was governor, we succeeded. I worked with a bipartisan team of legislators to get expansion passed, and more than 670,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid since it was enacted.

One of the most disturbing consequences of this national GOP bill is that it will likely eliminate health care for those who got it through that expansion, John. Rural North Carolinians will be hit hardest.

Medicaid dollars are keeping the doors open at struggling rural hospitals. But now, we’re already seeing reports that at least one rural NC hospital, which had planned to reopen thanks to the funding Medicaid expansion has brought to our state, will likely have to stay closed. North Carolinians’ health and lives are in great jeopardy.

You stood with me before as we fought to pass Medicaid expansion here in NC. Now, we need to stand together again. Will you let me know you’re with me by adding your name to support health care access for every American?

We have work to do,

Roy Cooper