| Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash
On August 25, a federal rule threatens to unravel key protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), jeopardizing healthcare access for millions of Americans. In response, New York City and a coalition of local governments have filed an amicus brief supporting a multistate lawsuit to stop the rule’s implementation. Their message is clear: this rule is not just bad policy—it’s a direct assault on public health, equity, and the communities that rely most on the ACA.
For Filipino Americans, especially those living in New York, New Jersey, and California, this legal fight is personal. We are nurses, caregivers, small business owners, and seniors. We depend on ACA coverage for preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health services. If this rule goes into effect, many in our community will be left behind.
The rule, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), would shorten enrollment periods, add burdensome verification requirements, exclude gender-affirming care from essential health benefits, and shift costs from federal programs to local hospitals.
According to the amicus brief filed by New York City, these changes could result in 1.8 million people losing coverage nationwide, disproportionately affecting low-income, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ populations.
Access to health care is a human right,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement. “This rule undermines that right and places an unfair burden on cities already doing the heavy lifting.”
New York City alone spends over $1 billion annually on uncompensated care, treating hundreds of thousands of uninsured patients. The city’s public hospital system, NYC Health + Hospitals, is the largest in the country—and a lifeline for many Filipino Americans.
Filipino Americans are among the most heavily represented ethnic groups in healthcare professions, yet many remain uninsured or underinsured. According to the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, nearly 1 in 5 Filipino seniors rely on ACA-related programs for coverage. The rule’s restrictions could lead to delayed care, worsened health outcomes, and increased financial strain.
“We see patients every day who wouldn’t be alive without ACA coverage,” says a Filipino American physician in Queens. “Rolling back these protections is not just cruel—it’s dangerous.”
Cities Step Up Where Congress Hesitates
The amicus brief, filed in support of California v. Kennedy et al., includes contributions from New York City,
San Francisco, Santa Clara County, King County (Washington), and other local governments
These cities argue that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act, lacks sufficient justification, and will cause irreparable harm to public health systems.
Legal Advocacy Meets Community Power
This legal action is a powerful example of cities using their voice to defend vulnerable communities. But legal briefs alone won’t stop the rule. We need public pressure, media attention, and grassroots mobilization.
Filipino American organizations like the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). APICHA, Kalusugan Coalition, NAFCON, and the Filipino Workers Center should amplify this fight. We must educate our kababayan about what’s at stake, organize town halls, and demand that our elected officials speak out.
What You Can Do
- Call your representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose the rule and support ACA protections
- Share the story of how ACA coverage has helped you or your family
- Support local governments that are taking legal action—write letters, attend hearings, and spread the word
- Join advocacy campaigns led by Filipino American groups and health equity coalitions.
It is not just a legal battle—it’s a moral one. The ACA was designed to expand access, reduce disparities, and protect the most vulnerable. The new rule does the opposite. It punishes the poor, marginalizes the sick, and burdens the very cities that have kept our healthcare system afloat.
Filipino Americans have always been at the forefront of care—whether in hospitals, homes, or community clinics. Now we must be at the forefront of advocacy.
Let’s stand with New York City. Let’s stand with the coalition. Let’s stop this rule before it harms the people we love.
