Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Kentucky Governor Countersues Over Medicaid Work Requirements

Gov. Matt Bevin has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a legal challenge to his controversial plan to restructure the state Medicaid program, and asks for the case to be heard in Kentucky, rather than Washington D.C.

Gov. Matt Bevin has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a legal challenge to his controversial plan to restructure the state Medicaid program, and asks for the case to be heard in Kentucky, rather than Washington D.C.

Saying "liberal interest groups" filed the case outside Kentucky and "failed to include the Commonwealth," the Bevin lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Frankfort, seeks a voice in asking a federal judge to uphold the governor's Medicaid changes.

"The Commonwealth's voice obviously must be heard on this issue," the lawsuit said.

The Republican governor's lawsuit comes about four weeks after a group of health law advocates filed a federal lawsuit in Washington asking a judge to strike down approval by the Trump administration for Bevin's plan that includes work requirements for some Medicaid enrollees. Kentucky last month became the first state to get federal approval for work requirements.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
Special Projects