FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 19, 2018) – The Bevin Administration today filed suit in federal district court in Kentucky seeking a ruling that the Commonwealth’s Medicaid waiver known as Kentucky HEALTH fully complies with federal law. Liberal interest groups, representing several Kentucky residents, sued the federal government on Jan. 24 about Kentucky HEALTH in Washington, D.C., but failed to include the Commonwealth as a party in that matter.
Through the lawsuit filed today, the Bevin Administration seeks to ensure that, as the architect and administrator of the waiver, the Commonwealth’s voice is heard. The lawsuit guarantees the Commonwealth’s reasons for creating Kentucky HEALTH are fully considered. Additionally, in the Washington, D.C. action, the federal government recently moved to transfer the case to Kentucky.
“We believe that Kentucky HEALTH has the potential to positively affect the lives of many Kentuckians, and we cannot sit idly by while the Commonwealth’s plan is debated in an out-of-state courtroom,” said Steve Pitt, general counsel to Gov. Matt Bevin. “A Kentucky court, with the full participation of the Commonwealth, should decide this vital issue. We have complete confidence that Kentucky HEALTH will be upheld and will serve as a successful national model.”
On Jan. 12, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Commonwealth’s Section 1115 Medicaid waiver, known as Kentucky HEALTH (“Helping to Engage and Achieve Long Term Health”). The new program’s goals are to improve the health of its participants, strengthen Medicaid’s long-term fiscal sustainability, and promote personal responsibility for health and well-being.
Additional information about Kentucky HEALTH can be found here.
To view a copy of the Commonwealth’s federal district court filing, click here.
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