Coalition Of State Attorneys General Sues To Block Association Health Plans Rule
The Trump administration says the regulation would help small businesses and self-employed workers to afford insurance, but the 12 Democratic state attorneys general, including California's Xavier Becerra, contend that the plans would undermine patient protections put in place by the health law.
Modern Healthcare:
Democratic Attorneys General Sue To Block Association Health Plan Rule
Twelve Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration Thursday to block a new rule making it easier for small firms and individuals to band together in association health plans free from many Affordable Care Act market rules. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleged the final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor last month violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. (Meyer, 7/26)
Boston Globe:
Healey Leads 12-State Lawsuit Against Department Of Labor For New Regulation
The complaint, filed Thursday in US District Court in Washington D.C., contends that the US Department of Labor’s regulation “would allow associations to market low-quality health care plans across the country and avoid the protections for consumers in the Affordable Care Act,” according to a statement from Healey’s office. (Cote, 7/27)
The Hill:
States Sue Trump Administration Over Expansion Of Skimpy Group Insurance Plans
Association health plans allow small businesses and other groups to band together to buy health insurance. The rule allows more groups to join together to form associations. The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to open up skimpier, cheaper plans as an alternative to ObamaCare plans. (Weixel, 7/26)
San Francisco Chronicle:
California Sues Trump Administration Over Small-Business Health Policy
The Labor Department said the plans will not deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions or charge them more, and will help employers control health care costs. The 11 other attorneys general joining with California’s represent New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington state. (Ho, 7/26)
East Bay Times:
California, 11 Other States Suing Trump Administration Over ACA Restrictions
“This unlawful, irresponsible rule allows employers to offer their workers barebones health coverage,” Becerra said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “It would destabilize our insurance markets and put the health of working families nationwide at risk. This is yet another attempt by the Trump Administration to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. As the President continues to do all he can to make Americans uninsured and unhealthy again, we in California will continue to fight for affordable, quality care for all of us.” (Hurd, 7/26)