Attorney General Kris Mayes (D-AZ) is urging Congress to reject proposed conditions in negotiations surrounding the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that would restrict healthcare plans from covering abortion services.
The Attorney General was joined by attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
The 21-state coalition has sent a letter to congressional members arguing that the proposal would risk residents losing access to healthcare benefits and conflict with current laws and regulations.
As Cactus Politics reported, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), among other members, are urging the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to discontinue federal health insurance plans that cover elective abortions.
The lawmakers specifically want OPM to eliminate abortion coverage from Congressional health plans available through DC's marketplace under the ACA, stating the current system uses government subsidies to fund these procedures.
They're requesting that only two specific insurance plans without elective abortion coverage be offered in 2026.
Mayes expressed that "Donald Trump and Republican politicians are so determined to control abortion and reproductive health choices that they're willing to drive up health care premiums for Arizonans by sabotaging subsidy negotiations."
Congressional Republicans are seeking to make the extension of the tax credits conditional on banning abortion coverage in all ACA insurance plans that receive federal subsidies. Currently, all states involved in the coalition allow abortion coverage under ACA plans.
The letter notes that Republicans claim federal money pays for abortion services. The coalition argues that federal law already prohibits this, and in states where insurance plans cover abortion, enrollees pay a separate fee to cover those costs, not taxpayers.
Mayes cited research indicating that 1 in 4 women is estimated to have an abortion in their lifetime, with some cases involving life-saving medical care.
As the ACA tax credits are expiring at the end of this year, millions of residents may see increases in their insurance premiums in the following year, potentially affecting access to affordable health care.
"Arizonans have made it clear: we do not want politicians interfering with access to reproductive care," Mayes concluded.
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