LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Attorney General Andy Beshear says he is ready to fight for the health care of Kentuckians.
This after a federal judge in Texas ruled that the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — is unconstitutional.
Beshear says more than 1.3 million Kentuckians could be affected if the ACA is thrown out.
“The ruling would devastate Kentucky. It would devastate our families, and I will not let it stand,” said Beshear.
Beshear listed 10 key harms (see below) that he says Kentuckians will face if the ruling in Texas is upheld.
“It is because of these harms that every major health organization in the United States opposed this challenge to the ACA, and I believe opposes this ruling,” said Beshear.
He is part of a coalition of attorneys general fighting to defend and preserve the ACA. Beshear says the first step is to make sure the ruling is stayed or frozen, then take it to an appellate court.
Beshear, who is running for governor in 2019, says this has nothing to do with politics.
“This is not a battle of right versus left. But a battle of life versus death,” said Beshear.
On Monday morning, Gov. Matt Bevin was asked about the ruling during an appearance on “The Leland Conway Show” on News Radio 630-WLAP and 840-WHAS in Louisville. Bevin said he thought the ACA was unconstitutional and insisted that Beshear’s motives were political.
“But as it relates to ‘little Andy,’ he never sues on behalf of the people of Kentucky. He does this on behalf of his own political career. So anything that he would do in response, has nothing to do with what’s best for Kentucky,” said Bevin.
Ten Key Harms if ACA ruling is upheld, according to Beshear:
- No mandatory coverage for preexisting conditions
- Elimination of expanded Medicaid
- Children under the age of 26 would not be able to remain on their parents’ insurance plans
- Seniors would have to pay more for prescription drugs
- Women would once again be charged more than men
- Guaranteed pregnancy coverage would be eliminated
- Substance use disorder treatment would no longer be a required benefit
- Rural hospitals would suffer
- Children would lose access to no-cost immunizations and well-child visits
- Older Kentuckians would be charged vastly more than younger ones
