Raleigh, N.C. — House Democrats are calling on Republican Gov. Pat McCrory to rethink his opposition to accepting federal money to expand Medicaid.

House Minority Leader Larry Hall said Wednesday that accepting the Medicaid expansion would bring billions of federal dollars into the state’s economy, creating a projected 23,000 jobs over the next few years.

“The governor and the Republicans are saying, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’” said Hall, D-Durham.

“They’ve been the party of no for working families,” he said. “No, we won’t help you even though it won’t cost North Carolina a dime. No, we won’t help you even though we concede that it’s the right thing to do.

"No, we won’t make 23,000 jobs available to you and your family so you can support yourself, but yes, we’ll cut off your unemployment benefits," he continued. "Yes, we’ll keep you from being able to qualify for Medicaid so your families can have health care. We think that’s the wrong way to go.”

Rep Jean Farmer-Butterfield, D-Wilson, pointed out that six Republican governors have decided to accept the federal Medicaid expansion.

“This matter should not be partisan, but it is. It’s politics at its worst," Farmer-Butterfield said. "We are making major decisions about people’s lives. Their health care is in our hands. We need to do the right thing by them.”

“We call on the governor to change course on this,” Hall concluded. “Help the working families who are struggling right now, instead of making them victims of this Republican leadership. He’s the governor – he needs to stand up for all the people of North Carolina.”