North Carolina has become the 40th state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, after the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill backed by the Democratic governor. This marks the end of a decade-long debate and will provide health insurance to roughly 600,000 additional low-income residents. The expansion is expected to have a positive impact on the state's economy, and advocates in Alabama are urging lawmakers to take advantage of the federal incentives to expand Medicaid.
