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Cooper speaks with NC physicians on Medicaid expansion

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper keeps trying to build pressure upon state legislators to approve Medicaid expansion in North Carolina through another public meeting with those in the health care profession supporting it.

Cooper held a round-table discussion on Wednesday at the Executive Mansion with obstetricians and pediatricians who later visited lawmakers. He said in a news release that providing more coverage to women in their child-bearing years can reduce infant mortality and improve the health of babies. Cooper's office says North Carolina ranks low among states in women's access to health insurance.

The governor held a similar meeting pushing expansion at the Mansion last month with rural hospital executives. He's also visited hospitals on recent travels to discuss expansion.

Wednesday's public event marked Cooper's first since undergoing back surgery last week.