Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Judge Vinson�s stay of ACA ruling

For Immediate Release: March 2, 2011

Governor Gregoire today made the following statement on US District Judge Roger Vinson�s ruling that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act can proceed:

�Judge Vinson�s issuance of a stay on his own ruling is the right decision. This decision allows implementation to go forward while his decision is reviewed. We are confident that in the end the Act will be upheld. As he indicates in his order part of his consideration is that there is disagreement within the plaintiff states, including Washington, as to whether implementation should continue. He is correct that it should as the Affordable Care Act benefits our small businesses, allows children to stay on their parent�s health insurance until age 26, provides seniors with prescription drug assistance and prohibits individuals from being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

�The Affordable Care Act is the most important step in achieving affordability and access to health care. In speaking with the President last week, he is committed to working with the states to continue to improve upon the law.�