North Carolina · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on healthcare?
Roy CooperDemocrat
Michael WhatleyRepublican
Part of the full North Carolina U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Healthcare
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Roy Cooper
Proposes restoring the expired Affordable Care Act tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts and broadening Medicare drug-price negotiation; signed North Carolina's Medicaid expansion law as governor.
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- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes reinstating the Affordable Care Act tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts, requiring Medicare to broaden negotiations with drug makers, capping annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, curbing surprise billing and increasing oversight of hospital mergers and pharmacy benefit managers. SourceMaking Health Care Affordable (opens in a new tab)Cooper for North Carolina · Sept. 2026 · Campaign
- Enacted policyMarch 27, 2023
As governor, signed House Bill 76 (Session Law 2023-7), which expanded Medicaid; his office said it was expected to cover more than 600,000 North Carolinians. 2 sourcesGovernor Cooper Signs Medicaid Expansion into Law (opens in a new tab)Office of the Governor of North Carolina · March 27, 2023 · GovernmentHouse Bill 76 / SL 2023-7 (2023-2024 Session) (opens in a new tab)North Carolina General Assembly · March 27, 2023 · Legislative record
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes reinstating the Affordable Care Act tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts, requiring Medicare to broaden negotiations with drug makers, capping annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, curbing surprise billing and increasing oversight of hospital mergers and pharmacy benefit managers. SourceMaking Health Care Affordable (opens in a new tab)Cooper for North Carolina · Sept. 2026 · Campaign
- Enacted policyMarch 27, 2023
As governor, signed House Bill 76 (Session Law 2023-7), which expanded Medicaid; his office said it was expected to cover more than 600,000 North Carolinians. 2 sourcesGovernor Cooper Signs Medicaid Expansion into Law (opens in a new tab)Office of the Governor of North Carolina · March 27, 2023 · GovernmentHouse Bill 76 / SL 2023-7 (2023-2024 Session) (opens in a new tab)North Carolina General Assembly · March 27, 2023 · Legislative record
Michael Whatley
Has credited Republican policies, including "Trump RX" and "reinstating most favored nation status," with helping Americans get prescription drugs at the lowest possible cost.
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- Public statementSept. 2026
Said in a September 2026 speech that through "Trump RX and reinstating most favored nation status," Republicans have helped Americans get prescription drugs at the lowest possible cost. SourceRoy Cooper, Michael Whatley step up campaigns (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News 1 · Sept. 11, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 2026
Said in a September 2026 speech that through "Trump RX and reinstating most favored nation status," Republicans have helped Americans get prescription drugs at the lowest possible cost. SourceRoy Cooper, Michael Whatley step up campaigns (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News 1 · Sept. 11, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Roy Cooper
No statement on this issue included
Michael Whatley
Prescription drug prices
Through Trump RX and reinstating most favored nation status, Republicans have helped Americans to get their prescription drugs at the lowest possible cost
Michael Whatley · Speech at the Republican Midterm Convention in Texas, reported by Spectrum News · Sept. 2026
SourceRoy Cooper, Michael Whatley step up campaigns (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News 1 · Sept. 11, 2026 · News
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