RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday he would let the state budget bill coming to his desk become law without his signature, opening the way for Medicaid coverage for 600,000 low-income adults, with some receiving the government health insurance within weeks.

Expanding Medicaid coverage could be possible in North Carolina following Republican lawmakers approving language of a Democratic health care bill.

Some adults in North Carolina will soon get Medicaid coverage because Gov. Roy Cooper says he’ll let the state budget bill coming to his desk become law.

Passing North Carolina’s budget will remain the last hurdle for the state to expand Medicaid to potentially cover 600,000 adults who don’t qualify or make enough for health insurance now that an effort to link it to authorizing more casinos is off the table.

For a few hours this week, it seemed like Medicaid expansion would not become a reality in North Carolina. But with final votes on the state budget expected before the weekend, health equity advocates are again optimistic.

The budget's enactment was the last step necessary for Medicaid expansion provided in the 2010 federal health care law to states to get implemented in North Carolina.