Baltimore, Md. – The U.S. District Court of Maryland has ruled in favor of a coalition that includes the City of Columbus, Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, City of Chicago, Doctors for America, and the Main Street Alliance, declaring that the Trump-Vance administration’s so-called “Marketplace Integrity and Affordability” health care rule unlawfully imposes new fees, weakens coverage standards, and creates barriers that would make it harder — and in some cases impossible — for people to get and keep affordable health insurance. Democracy Forward represents the coalition on this matter.
The ruling is a major victory for the coalition, which challenged the administration’s dangerous 2025 rule, which was projected to strip health coverage from more than 2.2 million people, raise costs for working families, and undermine the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) core protections.
The court had previously granted a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the rule, and this ruling enshrines the relief offered by that injunction to millions of people who rely on ACA coverage. The decision means that the challenged provisions of the rule are struck down and that federal protections for affordable health care remain intact for those who need them.
“Every American deserves quality, affordable healthcare, which is why we’ve repeatedly fought back against the Trump-Vance administration’s illegal attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. “This ruling is a significant win for millions of Americans, including thousands in Ohio, who would have been denied coverage or seen their out-of-pocket costs skyrocket due to this president and his administration. We will continue to fight to protect healthcare coverage for all Americans whenever it’s threatened.”
“This victory will protect access to health care and save American families money—but our work is not over,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “We will continue to fight back against any attempts by this administration to slash protections under the ACA, and will not stop fighting until every person in this nation has access to the affordable, quality health care they deserve.”
“This ruling is a victory for small business owners, their employees, and millions of Americans who depend on affordable health coverage. The Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act would have increased costs, created unnecessary barriers to coverage, and made it harder for entrepreneurs and workers to get the care they need. Small business owners cannot grow their businesses when health care becomes more expensive and less accessible. We are grateful that the court has protected these critical safeguards and reaffirmed that affordable health care remains essential to a strong economy and thriving Main Streets across the country,” said Richard Trent, Executive Director, Main Street Alliance
“The Trump-Vance administration last year attempted to strip lifesaving access to health care for millions of Americans. And yet again, a court blocked it and ruled for the people. We are pleased that the court has stopped the president’s disastrous and harmful attempt to take health care away from working families,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “We are honored to represent brave plaintiffs, whose dedication to protecting our democracy means that millions of people will still be able to access the affordable health care services they need.”
The case is City of Columbus et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al. and the legal team at Democracy Forward includes Joel McElvain, Cortney Robinson Henderson, and Christine Coogle.
Read the decision here and read more about this case here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
