ATTORNEY GENERAL CLARK SUES OVER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORT TO UNDERMINE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PROTECTIONS

The following information was released by the office of the Vermont Attorney General:

Attorney GeneralCharityClarktoday joined a coalition of19otherattorneys general in filing a lawsuitchallenginganewfederal rule that illegally undermines the Affordable Care Act (ACA) andwillmake health insurance more expensive and harder to obtain.

Among other harmful changes, the ruleexpandseligibility forhealth insurance plans thatdo not qualifyfor premium tax credits, offerslimited coverage, andleavesconsumers facing significantly higher out-of-pocket costs than standard ACA plans. The rule alsoattemptstoreinstate several provisions that a federal court recently foundunlawful.

The coalition arguesthat the ruleunlawfully underminesthe ACA's goal of expanding access to affordable healthcare by increasing costs, reducing enrollment, and shifting financial burdens onto consumers, states, and healthcare providers.

"Vermonters are already facing significant barriers to afford and access the healthcare they need, and the Trump Administration's proposed rule will only make these challenges worse," said Attorney General Clark. "Through this lawsuit, we are challenging this unlawful effort to weaken the Affordable Care Act and fighting to protect affordable health care for Vermonters and communities across the country."

Congress enacted the ACA to expand access to affordable health insurance, and more than 23 million Americans currently receive coverage through its marketplaces. Today's lawsuit follows thecoalition's challenge to the Trump Administration's similar 2025 ACA Marketplace rule.Afederal court last month vacated several provisions of the Administration's 2025 rule including provisions at issue in this case after finding that they violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The Administration's new rule setting standards for 2027 health plans, which is the subject of this lawsuit, brings back many of the same provisions and addsnew changesthat further undermine the ACA.

Joining AttorneyGeneralClarkin today'slawsuitarethe attorneys general ofArizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts,Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well asthe governorof Pennsylvania.

This lawsuit is the 58thcase Attorney General Clark has brought against the Trump Administration since President Trump took office in January 2025.