September 21, 2026
Late last week, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) joined the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Doctors for America, New Hampshire Medical Society, New Hampshire Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, individual Medicaid enrollees, and the City of Columbus in filing a lawsuit challenging a federal rule that threatens Medicaid coverage for people with serious and chronic health conditions.
The plaintiffs are represented by the National Health Law Program and Democracy Forward. Individual Medicaid enrollees are also represented by state-based legal aid and advocacy organizations, including Legal Council for Health Justice in Illinois, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, and Indiana Justice Project.
Democracy Forward and the National Health Law Program have issued a joint press release providing additional information about the case, which can be accessed via the link below.
The lawsuit challenges key provisions of an interim final rule implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new Medicaid work requirements. The rule narrowly defines who qualifies for the law’s medical frailty exclusion, potentially subjecting people with serious physical and mental health conditions to new work, reporting, and verification requirements despite Congress having specifically excluded medically frail individuals and those with special medical needs from these requirements.
Access to health care is a human right for all, including adolescents and young adults, and public funding is what makes that right real for low-income and vulnerable youth. SAHM is joining this lawsuit because our members cannot stand by while policy decisions jeopardize our patients’ health, education, and future well-being.
SAHM remains committed to advocating for policies that protect access to comprehensive, equitable, and evidence-based health care for all adolescents and young adults.