Stenehjem-backed Lawsuit Will Strip Away Pre-Existing Conditions Protections for North Dakotans

Thompson: North Dakota’s Attorney General violated state law by joining lawsuit

(GRAND FORKS, ND) — This week, the Department of Justice announced that it would not be defending current laws protecting people with pre-existing conditions from a lawsuit in which – as it turns out – North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has illegally attempted to commit State of North Dakota. Democratic-NPL candidate for Attorney General David Thompson today released the following statement:

“Wayne Stenehjem signing onto this lawsuit is not only unconscionable, because of its potential impacts for nearly 300,000 North Dakotans who have pre-existing conditions, but it was also illegal. If a judge sides with Stenehjem and the 20 other AGs who are pursuing this case, people with chronic diseases like diabetes or cancer will most likely be priced out of the insurance market with few options to get the high-quality care they deserve.

But that is not the end of Stenehjem’s mess. Not only is this Texas lawsuit aimed at hurting the most vulnerable members of our community, but Stenehjem is violating North Dakota Law by allowing the Texas Attorney General to represent the State of North Dakota as a party without our Attorney General safeguarding the interests of our State and its citizens. Under the law, it is clear that only the North Dakota Attorney General may represent our State in a court case such as this Texas federal court action. The Texas Attorney General may not legally represent the State of North Dakota as a party in that Texas case. Just like his behavior as a member of the Industrial Commission, Wayne Stenehjem is once again flouting North Dakota law, but this time in an attempt to strip sick people of important protections. For that reason, Stenehjem’s illegal attempt to have the Texas Attorney General represent the State of North Dakota in taking health care away from North Dakotans is disgraceful.”