In March, the Superior Court of Alaska dismissed the lawsuit to stop Medicaid expansion, stating that Governor Walker acted within the boundaries of the law when he bypassed the legislature to go forth with the expansion. Recently, the Legislature filed an appeal of that decision. I do not support this action.
Juneau – Today, the members of Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition sent a letter to the high-priced Washington D.C. law firm of Bancroft, PLLC asking them to not move forward on an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court of a lawsuit challenging the expansion of Medicaid in Alaska. The authority to move forward with an appeal has not been granted by the full membership of the Alaska House of Representatives as is required by law. Last week, a notice of appeal was illegally filed with the Alaska Supreme Court on behalf of the Alaska Legislative Council and the Alaska House of Representatives. This is despite a clear legal opinion from the Alaska Division of Legal and Research Services that such an appeal must be authorized by a vote of the full Alaska Legislature, which it was not.
Juneau – The Republican-controlled leadership in the Alaska House of Representatives has filed an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court of a lawsuit challenging Medicaid expansion in Alaska without approval of the full Alaska Legislature as required by law. The ill-advised lawsuit was dismissed in March by a Superior Court Judge after finding that the Social Security Act allowed the Governor to initiate Medicaid expansion and that existing state law required Governor Walker to provide Medicaid to the group of Alaskans eligible for expansion.
Juneau – Today, Representatives Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) and Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks) called on the Alaska Legislative Council to get approval from the full Alaska Legislature before continuing to fund the failed lawsuit challenging the expansion of healthcare options for thousands of Alaskans.
Thank you to everyone who completed our constituent survey! Your feedback is very helpful as we work through the state’s budget challenges. There are still several opportunities to share your perspective at hearings on the budget and the Governor’s revenue bills. I will keep you notified as more opportunities become available. Currently, no public testimony has been scheduled for
ANCHORAGE – Earlier today, the Alaska State Legislature’s Republican-controlled Legislative Council failed to withdraw its ill-advised lawsuit against Governor Bill Walker over his decision to accept federal funds to expand eligibility for the Medicaid program in Alaska. The Legislative Council, which only includes one member of the minority in the House and Senate, met behind closed doors in Anchorage to discuss the Council’s lawsuit. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Council took no action. The result of this inaction is that the lawsuit will continue.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
If that chill in the air is any indication, it looks like summer is drawing to a close. I hope everyone had a great summer and got a chance to visit the Fair, and I hope you’re geared up for a lot of fun winter activities.
Today Rep. Sam Kito III and I called on those suing the Governor over Medicaid Expansion to save the state money, in a few ways.
First, as you know, I think spending $450,000 on a lawsuit instead of passing the pending Medicaid Expansion & Reform bill (which would result in $330 million in budget savings over just the first six years) is imprudent. It’s hiring lawyers to dig a deeper budget hole
