Judge Frank Pfiffner says he will announce Friday if he will stop the state from implementing Medicaid expansion while the lawsuit by lawmakers proceeds.
After hearing arguments this afternoon, Judge Pfiffner says he will rule at noon tomorrow on the legislature’s request to halt the process.
Gov. Bill Walker announced plans to expand Medicaid coverage on July 16 after the Legislature did not address his bill on Medicaid expansion and reform in either of their special sessions.
The Legislative Council voted last week to challenge Walker’s authority to do so.
The administration plans to rollout expansion Tuesday unless Pfiffner grants lawmakers’ request to halt the process while the lawsuit moves forward.
Pfiffner must rule Friday since the Anchorage courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of President Obama’s visit to downtown Anchorage.
Pfiffner said he expect whichever side to loses to immediately appeal to Alaska’s Supreme Court.