Cooper directs health officials to implement Medicaid, says he'll let budget become law without signature

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced his decision within minutes of the budget's final passage.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signs Medicaid expansion bill on Monday, March 27. (Source: NC Governor’s Office Twitter Livestream)

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday announced that he would allow the state’s $30 billion spending plan to become law without his signature, saying the benefits of Medicaid implementation outweigh all other concerns he has with the budget and the legality of various provisions.