evidence: "Medicaid expansion is a once-in-a-generation investment that will strengthen our mental health system, boost our rural hospitals, support working families and so much more," said Governor Cooper. "This is a historic step toward a healthier North Carolina that will bring people the opportunity of better health and a better life." [...] Veterans, early childhood educators, restaurant workers, nursing home workers are all among the groups that often fall into the coverage gap and sometimes have to work two or more jobs to afford health care. [...] Governor Cooper’s budget, First in Opportunity, proposes using a portion of the almost $1.8 billion Medicaid expansion signing bonus to create the Improving Health Outcomes for People Everywhere (IHOPE) Fund. The plan focuses on three areas: making mental health services more available when and where people need them; building strong systems to support people in crisis and people with complex behavioral needs; and enabling better health access and outcomes with data and technology. Medicaid expansion will take effect upon the signing into law of the FY 2023-25 appropriations act.