In a significant legal move, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined forces with 19 other state attorneys general to oppose proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These changes, initiated by the Trump administration, could result in 750,000 to two million Americans losing their health insurance by 2026.
The proposed modifications include denying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients the ability to purchase health insurance on the ACA exchanges. This policy shift follows the 2024 rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that expanded ACA exchange access to DACA recipients.
Other controversial changes include shortening the open enrollment periods on state ACA exchanges and allowing insurers to deny enrollment based on any past nonpayment of premiums, without requiring insurers to notify consumers about this policy. Additionally, the rule proposes banning states from including gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit.
Attorney General Brown criticized the proposals, stating they “would make healthcare more expensive, limit access to essential medical services, and cause millions to lose their health coverage.” He emphasized the need for inclusive access to insurance for all Maryland residents, regardless of immigration status or gender identity.
The joint comment letter against these changes was also signed by attorneys general from California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The opposition highlights concerns about increased healthcare costs and economic impacts on states as more individuals potentially lose access to preventive and emergency medical care.
