Judge Rejects Attempt To Block Alaska Gov. From Implementing Medicaid Expansion

A judge on Friday rejected a request from Alaska lawmakers to temporarily block Gov. Bill Walker (I) from expanding Medicaid in the state. The suit argued that the group Walker intended to expand Medicaid to is considered optional under the ACA, not mandatory, and thus subject to approval via the Legislature. Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner found that Walker's expansion plan covers a mandatory population, meaning that the governor has the legal authority to implement the plan without approval from the state Legislature.

• "Judge Rejects Call To Block Alaska Governor From Expanding Medicaid" (AP/Modern Healthcare, 8/28).