Disputed Claims in North Carolina’s Senate Race Over Health Care Costs
The political battle for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat has intensified, with health care costs emerging as a critical point of contention between Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper. The race is poised to influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Michael Whatley recently claimed on Breitbart News that health insurance premiums in North Carolina escalated by 183% during Roy Cooper’s tenure as governor. He reiterated this assertion at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, suggesting that Cooper’s leadership turned North Carolina into the most expensive state for health care costs.
This claim appears to originate from a 2021 Heritage Foundation analysis. However, the analysis indicates that the 183% increase occurred between 2013 and 2019. Cooper assumed office in 2017, during which time the data actually shows a 12% decrease in average premiums, as per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), marking one of the largest decreases among U.S. states.
Whatley’s assertion about North Carolina being the most expensive state for health care is also contested. A January 2025 Forbes study claimed the state had the highest health care costs in 2024, but researchers at Ascendient Healthcare questioned this conclusion, noting it relied heavily on costs faced by individuals with employer-sponsored insurance—a category covering less than half of North Carolinians.
Republican state treasurer Brad Briner also expressed doubts about the Forbes report, questioning its methodology and potential biases during an interview with the Carolina Public Press. Following the controversy, Forbes retracted the study from their platform.
Health care costs remain a significant concern for voters. A KFF tracking poll from April indicates that nearly nine in 10 voters consider it a crucial issue affecting their voting decisions in the upcoming election.
The post Whatley’s 183% health care claim doesn’t add up appeared first on American Journal News.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
