Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken a stand against a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) affecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Bonta, alongside attorneys general from 21 other states and Washington D.C., submitted a letter opposing the proposed changes, citing potential negative impacts on health insurance coverage and costs for millions of Americans.

The letter argues that the proposed amendments will result in higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs, counteracting the ACA's intent to expand health insurance coverage and reduce healthcare costs. "No one should ever have to go without the care they need due to cost or other barriers surrounding health insurance," said Attorney General Bonta.

California, which has 1.8 million residents enrolled in ACA plans, could be significantly affected by these changes. The proposed rule would shorten the open enrollment period, potentially ending coverage for millions and excluding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from ACA insurance eligibility. It also proposes removing gender-affirming care from Essential Health Benefits on federal exchange plans.

The attorneys general assert that these changes would undermine Californians' access to the ACA marketplace and harm the state's efforts to increase enrollment in Covered California. The letter emphasizes that the proposed rule "fails to accomplish its purported goal of combatting fraud and increasing marketplace efficiency."

Attorney General Bonta has been an active advocate for healthcare access. In recent months, he has been involved in a multistate coalition defending healthcare expansions for DACA recipients and opposing executive orders viewed as discriminatory against transgender individuals.

By challenging the proposed rule, Bonta collaborates with attorneys general from states including New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York.