© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Beshear Joins Fight Against Federal Lawsuit Aimed At Ending ACA

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear is joining 15 other attorneys general in seeking to intervene in a lawsuit aimed at declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

The original lawsuit filed in Texas says that because President Trump last year signed legislation that did away with the individual mandate penalty, the law is unconstitutional. If the the motion to intervene by the attorneys general is accepted, they would become part of court proceedings and be able to provide evidence that the law is constitutional.

“Kentucky stands to lose a projected $49.7 billion in federal funding for our expanded Medicaid and subsidies for those on the individual market if this lawsuit moves forward,” Beshear said in a news release. “Hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians are at risk of losing their health care coverage, many of whom have coverage for the first time.”

Beshear said in the release that the ACA required both private insurance plans and Medicaid to cover drug treatment, which has been instrumental in Kentucky as the state fights an opioid epidemic.

Other state attorneys general joining the motion to intervene include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.

Lisa Gillespie is WFPL's Health and Innovation Reporter.

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.