SANTA FE — New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has joined four other Democratic governors in addressing concerns over the Trump administration’s Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule (CMS-9884-P). In a joint letter, they appealed to Peter Nelson, Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to withdraw the measure that would limit states’ regulatory power over health insurance marketplaces.
The proposal has been criticized for its potential to disrupt local healthcare systems, create confusion among consumers, reduce enrollment options for low-income families, and make health coverage less accessible. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois stated, “This proposed rule will cause confusion, make it harder to enroll, and limit healthcare access for the most vulnerable Illinoisans.”
The number of Americans accessing healthcare through these marketplaces reached a record 24.2 million in 2024. The proposed rule could challenge states’ abilities to determine eligibility and manage open enrollment periods, an issue underscored in the governors' letter.
Governor Lujan Grisham expressed concern for New Mexico families: “This proposed rule threatens to disrupt that progress, shift costs to New Mexicans, create unnecessary administrative barriers, and limit access to essential health services, ultimately hurting working families across our state.” She urged the Trump administration to reconsider.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis warned, “The rule being pushed could raise premiums and make it harder for Americans to continue to see their doctors and get the coverage they need.” He highlighted risks to both premium levels and record enrollment rates, should the rule take effect and subsidies be cut.
In Maryland, where there have been seven consecutive years of enrollment increases since the Affordable Care Act's implementation, Governor Wes Moore expressed concern that the rule could reverse these gains, emphasizing, “Marylanders rely on this affordable health care.”
The letter aims to preserve the progress made in state healthcare systems since the inception of the Affordable Care Act.
