Kentucky governor’s office joins litigation against federal funding freeze

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Office of the Governor has joined litigation to stop a federal funding freeze.

The development was shared during Thursday’s Team Kentucky update.

Officials say state attorneys general filed the amended complaint and added the governor’s office as a plaintiff. According to the governor’s office, the freeze has affected Medicaid, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Abandoned Mined Lands program and more.

“Without Medicaid, our rural hospitals would shut down and so many health care workers would lose their jobs,” Beshear said. “And the Appalachian Regional Commission is vital to creating jobs and providing better health care and infrastructure in Appalachia. I want to make it clear I would have taken this action against any president, regardless of party, if they tried to stop these really important funds.”

Despite the freeze being blocked by a federal judge, officials say this action is needed to make sure Kentucky receives the funding that was already allocated to the Commonwealth.