Gov. Evers pulls Wisconsin out of multi-state lawsuit challenging Affordable Care Act
MADISON -- Gov. Tony Evers is pulling Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act after a judge blocked lame-duck laws prohibiting him from withdrawing the state from legal actions.
Evers had promised during his campaign last year to pull Wisconsin out of the ACA lawsuit. Republican lawmakers stopped him cold, though, after passing lame-duck bills in December that prohibited him from withdrawing from lawsuits without legislative approval.
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued a temporary injunction Thursday blocking the lame-duck laws, ruling that the Legislature had convened illegally when it passed them.
Evers' attorney sent a message to the state Department of Justice less than two hours after Niess issued the ruling ordering the withdraw from the ACA action.
Statements of reaction from officials
State Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse)
“With A.G. Kaul withdrawing Wisconsin from this lawsuit, families and seniors can rest assured that their health care will be protected. The fact remains that the ACA continues to provide affordable access to quality health insurance for families across Wisconsin. This is a great day for the health and well-being of all Wisconsin residents.”
State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton)
“The motion to withdraw Wisconsin from the Affordable Care Act lawsuit is an enormous victory for our state. While Republicans have talked about protecting health care, they simultaneously were attempting to take Wisconsinites’ coverage away. Now we will be able to move forward, and work on accomplishing the true wishes of the voters, including expanding access to comprehensive and affordable care for everyone in the state.”