CARSON CITY (FOX5) — Nevada’s Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contesting newly established work requirements for Medicaid. The legal action, filed on June 29, targets new provisions introduced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which were announced on June 3, 2026, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Ford is collaborating with a coalition of 23 other attorneys general and two governors in this endeavor. He expressed strong concerns regarding the implications of the administration’s actions, stating that these changes would strip away essential health care protections for many vulnerable residents in Nevada. “The Trump administration is attempting to remove protections for vulnerable Nevadans who rely on Medicaid to ensure their health and safety,” Ford said. He emphasized the severe administrative and financial challenges that the new rule could impose on the state and its residents, pledging to fight any measures that threaten the well-being of Nevadans.
The lawsuit specifically challenges the interim final rule titled “Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals.” This rule revises the definitions of key terms, including “medically frail,” which could make it significantly more difficult for those with serious illnesses and disabilities to qualify for exemptions that previously shielded them from work requirements. Historically, Congress has put such exemptions in place to safeguard individuals facing severe health challenges, ensuring that they do not lose coverage or experience disruptions in their care.
The coalition aims not only to prevent the implementation of the contentious provisions but also to have them ultimately deemed illegal and struck down. While the new work requirement provision is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, states are required to inform Medicaid recipients about the upcoming changes by August 31, 2026.
The lawsuit represents a significant legal pushback against the Trump administration’s policies, as Ford and the coalition seek to uphold the rights and protections of those reliant on Medicaid in Nevada.
