"N.C. Governor Sets Oct. 1 Deadline for Medicaid Expansion, Urging Republican Action"

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper's administration has announced that the state will expand Medicaid on October 1, even without approved funding from the Republican-controlled legislature. This move puts pressure on lawmakers to either pass a budget or fund Medicaid expansion separately. The state's plan gives lawmakers until September 1 to fund the proposal, with a potential delay until December 1 if the deadline is missed. Medicaid expansion has been a priority for Governor Cooper, who criticized lawmakers for tying it to the budget. Negotiations between House and Senate Republicans are ongoing, but there is uncertainty about resolving budgetary issues.