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Walker planned to begin implementing the expanded program on Sept. 1, but lawmakers will ask a judge to put a temporary halt in place until the courts can decide a bigger question — whether the governor has the authority to accept federal funds for the expansion without a vote of the Legislature. In the 10-1 vote Tuesday, Democrat Rep. Sam Kito was the only lawmaker on the Legislative Council who voted not to sue. Senate Majority Leader John Coghill (R-North Pole) said the governor has violated the state constitution by acting independently. (Maxwell, 8/18)

The Alaska Legislature on Tuesday said it will sue Gov. Bill Walker to block his move last month to expand the public Medicaid health care program without lawmakers’ approval. Following a private discussion Tuesday morning, a Republican-controlled House-Senate committee voted 10-1 to spend up to $450,000 on two law firms to represent the Legislature in a suit against the governor. (Herz, 8/18)

A committee of House and Senate lawmakers voted Tuesday to sue Gov. Bill Walker over his effort to expand Medicaid in Alaska, with Republican legislative leaders calling it a separation-of-powers issue. The Legislative Council vote followed a closed-door executive session in Anchorage. The vote was 10-1, with Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, dissenting. Walker called the council's actions disappointing and said he is not wavering in his position. Walker moved to expand Medicaid coverage to people ages 19 to 64 who are not caring for dependent children, not disabled and not pregnant, and who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. (Bohrer, 8/19)

Utah Democrats told Hirsche's story and others' at a news conference Tuesday in an effort to prod Gov. Gary Herbert and Republicans in the Legislature to reach a resolution before the next legislative session starts in January 2016 — and to do it out in the open, rather than behind closed doors. Democrats blame the so-called "Gang of Six" — including Herbert, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and GOP lawmakers — for failing to reach a deal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The group missed a self-imposed July 31 deadline. And although the gang's members say they hope to reach a deal before the 2016 Legislature opens, Democrats worry that may be too late for some Utahns who don't make enough to pay for subsidized health care, but make too much to qualify for Medicaid. (McDonald, 8/18)

Democratic leaders expressed frustration that lawmakers are being called into a special session Wednesday to deal with relocating the state prison but not what they called a life-and-death issue: Medicaid expansion. "It says that economic development is taking priority over the lives of our citizens of Utah. And that shouldn't be the case," Utah Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon said. (Riley Roche, 8/18)

The 19 states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid under the health care law could be hindering their abilities to care for those living with mental illnesses, according to a Psychiatric Services in Advance report. If all the states undertook an expansion by 2020, health centers would have nearly $230 million in additional revenue, according to the report. On top of that, the study found nationwide expansion could provide an estimated $11.3 million for mental health services and $1.6 million for substance abuse services that year. (Evans, 8/18)

More than 7,000 customers of Connecticut’s health insurance exchange must provide additional documentation to maintain their coverage or the tax credits that subsidize their premiums – a process that has already led to confusion and, in some cases, lost coverage or subsidies, exchange CEO Jim Wadleigh said Tuesday. (Levin Becker, 8/18)