The Trump administration is facing a major lawsuit over a new rule that makes it harder for people to sign up for health insurance through Obamacare.
Three major U.S. cities — Chicago, Columbus, and Baltimore — joined forces with two national advocacy groups to take the fight to court. Doctors for America and Main Street Alliance say the new policy, pushed by Trump’s administration, will hurt families and drive up health care costs.
The legal action was filed against the Department of Health and Human Services and is being led by the legal group Democracy Forward.
The doctors involved say the rule will leave more patients uninsured, making it harder for them to get the care they need — and harder for doctors to get paid. The suit argues the Trump administration broke the law by ignoring public comments and failing to give a clear explanation for the changes.
“Defendants failed to provide adequate reasons for, and failed to adequately respond to comments about, the following provisions, such that they are arbitrary and capricious under the APA, and Defendants failed to observe required procedure in adopting these provisions,” the lawsuit says.
The plaintiffs want the rule tossed out before it can take effect.
“This unlawful rule will force families off their health insurance and raise costs on millions of Americans. This does nothing to help people — and instead harms Americans’ health and safety across our country,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward.
This legal blitz is part of growing backlash against moves to weaken the Affordable Care Act, which millions of Americans rely on for coverage.
