Olympia - Today, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, Sen Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle and Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, announced their submission of an amicus brief in support of the Affordable Care Act at a press conference.

The announcement comes as the Supreme Court is set to consider the constitutionality of the health law in the coming weeks.

“As legislators, we are in the front lines to implement this law,” said Keiser. “This week, I plan to introduce legislation at the Governor’s request to fully implement the Washington Health Exchange, a critical component of the Affordable Care Act. We cannot wait any longer to take action on this bill; there is no time to lose.”

The show of support for the Affordable Care Act was part of a larger demonstration across the nation this week. Washington legislators account for 30 of the more than 480 from all 50 states who have officially signed on to the brief.

The brief will be filed Friday and was prepared in conjunction with the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform (a national group of state legislators working to advance health reform and implement the Affordable Care Act), Progressive States Network, and the Constitutional Accountability Center.

The summary of the amicus brief is available here.

A list of Washington legislators who have signed the amicus brief is available online here.

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For more information, Michael Althauser, 360-786-7326