In a united front against the federal government, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has thrown Arizona's weight into a legal battle alongside a multistate coalition poised to stymie a rule change by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that stands to strip 1.8 million Americans of their health insurance. As reported by the Arizona Attorney General's office, this controversial maneuver is part of the Trump Administration's amendments to the regulations overseeing federal and state health insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated that “Arizonans didn’t vote for people who already qualify for health care to lose their health insurance,” in response to a proposed federal rule change. According to the Attorney General’s office, the change could affect the 432,000 Arizonans who have selected an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan for 2025, as well as potentially lead to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for others. The legal challenge, led by states including California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, argues that the actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) violate federal law and were implemented without sufficient justification. The lawsuit was filed ahead of the rule’s scheduled effective date of August 25.
The legal challenge comes as the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) 2026 open enrollment period approaches in less than four months. The multistate lawsuit claims that the federal administration’s final rule may reverse key advancements made since the ACA was enacted 15 years ago. According to the suit, the rule introduces several changes, including new verification requirements, a monthly charge for consumers who are automatically reenrolled in $0 premium plans, and a shortened open enrollment period. State officials argue that these modifications could lead to a reduction in coverage and present additional barriers for eligible individuals.
The coalition of attorneys general challenging the rule includes states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New York, and others. The group supports Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ position that the rule is unlawful and imposes additional administrative and financial burdens on states. According to the complaint, the rule may increase paperwork requirements, shorten enrollment periods, and raise cost-sharing limits, potentially resulting in higher Medicaid expenditures, increased emergency care costs, and greater demand for other public services. A full list of participating states and the complete filing are available through the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
A coalition of states, joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, is seeking not only to block the proposed federal rule changes but also to have a greater voice in shaping healthcare policy moving forward. The group argues that the changes jeopardize coverage for millions of Americans and undermine progress made under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The legal challenge reflects growing concerns among state leaders about the stability of healthcare access amid shifting federal policies.
