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April 3, 2019 - SACRAMENTO – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) joined 35 cities and counties from across the country to file an amicus brief in the federal Court of Appeals in a case that could determine the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The move on Tuesday is consistent with CSAC’s policy to oppose efforts to reduce California’s Medi-Cal program and access to health care.

In Texas v. United States, the trial court invalidated the entire ACA, including the Medi-Cal expansion that has significantly benefited California residents by expanding access to critically-needed and high quality health and behavioral health care services for the most at-risk residents. That decision is temporarily on hold while the Court of Appeals considers the case.

“Counties serve as the safety net provider of health and behavioral health services for our communities,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “We appreciate that many other local jurisdictions are joining us as we seek to protect the health and safety of our communities and maximize the effective expenditure of taxpayer dollars.”

CSAC’s brief explains how the ACA is critical to reducing local government indigent health costs and enables local government to provide better care. The brief also describes how unwinding the ACA would lead to catastrophic health care costs, chaos, and disruption. The case will be set for hearing after briefing is completed.

The California State Association of Counties is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.
Source: CSAC