Lt. Governor Issues Statement Regarding HHS Insurance Exchange Extension

Press Release

Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer MD issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' announcement it is extending the deadline for exchange grants for six months in expectation of a Supreme Court ruling.

"The decision by HHS validates the Brownback Administration's prudent decision to not implement an exchange before a ruling by the Supreme Court next June. Kansas is party plaintiff to a successful federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of ACA now on appeal to the high court. Implementing an exchange prior to a ruling would be an imprudent use of taxpayer dollars. Governor Brownback and I, with our partners in the Kansas Legislature, will continue to work on Kansas solutions for our Kansas health care challenges."

The Brownback Administration has been on the leading edge fighting against the Affordable Care Act. In January, the State of Kansas joined the lawsuit that has risen to the level of the Supreme Court. In August, Governor Brownback returned a $31 million planning grant for an exchange and announced that Kansas will not implement an exchange before any ruling by the Supreme Court.

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