CHARLESTON – A group of more than 30 physicians from across West Virginia want Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to withdraw the state’s support of a federal lawsuit aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act.
Morrisey’s office, however, says it will continue the push and calls the doctors’ effort a political attack.
The September 14 letter, which was signed by 31 doctors, says the lawsuit would do “irreparable harm to the health coverage of 200,000 West Virginians and to our state’s economy.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled to hear arguments in the Texas-based cased in November. The same court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, in 2012.
In the letter, the doctors ask four questions to Morrisey about how the state would provide and pay for medical coverage to those affected if the legal challenge prevails, about how the state would help providers and hospitals affected by fewer payments, about what other changes would the elimination of the ACA would bring and about what affect it would have on the state’s economy.
“Maintaining the health of West Virginians is our life’s work,” the doctors wrote. “The COVID pandemic has increased the challenges we face in our work and our patients face in their daily lives.
“We call on you to remove yourself and our state as one of the 18 state attorneys general supporting this lawsuit until and unless these fundamental questions can be fully answered.”
The doctors says they gladly meet with Morrisey to discuss the issues.
Dr. Ron Stollings of Madison, who also is a Democratic state Senator, was one of the doctors who signed the letter.
"When we looked at the attorney general’s proposal during the legislative session, it did absolutely nothing to keep health care for those with pre-existing conditions," Stollings told The West Virginia Record. "It’s taking away access to health care, and I’m against that.
"They don't have a fix for it. They want to do away with (the ACA), but there is no affordable, accessible fix. If you don’t have access to primary care, then bad things happen."
Stollings said he wouldn't be surprised if more physicians and medical groups add their names to the letter.
The Democratic Attorneys General Association also criticized Morrisey on the matter.
“Yesterday, 30 West Virginia doctors took Patrick Morrisey to task for his health care failures,” DAGA Deputy Political Director Manfred Mecoy said. “Right now, thousands of West Virginians are suffering from Black lung disease, diabetes, and addiction—not to mention the harrowing effects of COVID-19, which has already stolen close to 300 lives in the state.
"Families and doctors alike deserve to know how Morrisey plans to support the 200,000 West Virginians who will lose health care if his lawsuit is successful.”
A spokesman for the AG’s office said Morrisey will continue the fight.
“Attorney General Morrisey remains deeply committed to ensuring health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and vigorously fought for a state-based solution earlier this year, a multi-faceted effort to protect coverage for those with pre-existing coverage, while also helping all West Virginians overcome the failings of Obamacare – chiefly its unmanageable, skyrocketing premiums and its unconstitutional individual mandate,” Curtis Johnson told The West Virginia Record.
“It’s not surprising though to see a far left group launch another attack just before an election. Keep in mind that no one has lost coverage to date and no one will be left behind as the Attorney General works hard to lower the skyrocketing premium costs of Obamacare and strike down the unconstitutional individual mandate.”
The letter was signed by Daniel Doyle M.D., Oak Hill; Michael Schroering M.D., Fairmont; Joanna Bailey M.D., Pineville; Agnes Franz M.D., Fairmont; Jessica McColley D.O., Elkview; Grace Falbo D.O., Charleston; Ken Hilsbos M.D., Fairmont; Katherine Calloway D.O. M.P.H., Charleston; Joseph Golden M.D., Beckley; Ilene Blacksberg M.D.. Fairmont; Sue Westfall M.D., Charleston; Mitch Jacques M.D. PhD, Charleston; Norman Siegel M.D., Beckley; Joseph B. Reed M.D., Buckhannon; Tracy Hendershot M.D. FAAF, Elizabeth; Kimberly Becher M.D., Clay; Bob Foster D.O., Ronceverte; Joan Phillips M.D., Charleston; Margaret Staggers M.D., Fayetteville; Benjamin Silverberg M.D., Morgantown; Ryan Morrison M.D.. Charleston; Jeanne Wahl D.O., Lewisburg; Laura Miller D.O., Wheeling; Joe Durkalski D.O., Wheeling; Barbara Michael M.D., Charleston; Patricia Lally D.O., Rainelle; Chris Hill M.D., Fayetteville; Abdul Mirza M.D., Pratt; Rick Spencer M.D., Morgantown; and Rosemarie Cannarella Lorenzetti M.D. M.P.H., Harpers Ferry as well as Stollings.