We proved bipartisan health care reform works in North Carolina. Let’s bring it nationwide

August 17, 2026 - 07:41

When we talk about fixing health care in America, the conversation usually stalls on ideology. But in North Carolina, something different happened. We proved that pragmatism can beat partisanship. Now we want to take that same playbook to the rest of the country.

The idea was simple. Instead of fighting over the same old battles, we focused on what actually works for people. We expanded Medicaid, but we did it in a way that brought Republicans and Democrats to the table. We didn't demand a perfect ideological victory. We asked for a practical solution that would help working families, rural hospitals, and people who had fallen through the cracks.

The results speak for themselves. Hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians gained coverage. Rural hospitals that were on the brink of closure got a lifeline. And we did it without blowing up the state budget. In fact, the economic benefits have been clear, with new jobs and reduced uncompensated care costs.

The key was trust. We built it by being transparent about the numbers and by listening to concerns from both sides. We didn't pretend that every problem was solved. We just showed that progress was possible when people stopped scoring political points and started solving problems.

Now, Washington is stuck in the same old loop. But our state's experience offers a roadmap. It shows that you don't have to choose between fiscal responsibility and caring for your neighbors. You can have both. The challenge is whether national leaders are willing to learn from a place that actually got it done. We believe they can, and we are ready to help.