Governor Spanberger Celebrates Court Ruling Protecting Healthcare Coverage for Virginians With Serious Illnesses

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated Virginia winning a federal court ruling blocking the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from enforcing guidance issued following the passage of H.R. 1 - President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" - that threatened healthcare coverage for Virginians with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Earlier this year, Virginia - led by Attorney General Jay Jones - sued CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the Trump Administration's proposed rule that would have made it more difficult for Virginians with cancer, substance use disorder, disabilities, and other chronic illnesses to keep their Medicaid coverage under new restrictions created by H.R. 1.

"Cancer patients shouldn't be forced to jump through bureaucratic hoops to access the lifesaving care they need," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "This ruling reaffirms that patients deserve timely access to the care their doctors recommend - not unnecessary red tape. As the Trump Administration threatens healthcare coverage, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect patients, make sure families can see their doctors, and push back against the chaos out of Washington."

"More than 1.8 million Virginians rely on Medicaid to manage complex medical issues, like cancer, stroke care/recovery, and even renal failure, and they deserve clear, stable health insurance. The Trump Administration's efforts to rip healthcare coverage away from those who need it most is unconscionable and illegal," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "America's healthcare system is strained, Virginians are making difficult decisions just to cover day-to-day expenses, and this rule would have exacerbated the burden."

"We fought this rule because it put another burden on people already dealing with serious health conditions," said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. "Even someone going through cancer treatment would have had to prove how their illness affected their ability to work to be excused from Medicaid's new paperwork requirements. The court rejected that extra hurdle, helping protect the coverage people depend on for treatment."

As part of the multi-state case, Virginia argued that CMS had exceeded its authority by narrowing an exemption Congress explicitly created. Under CMS's new rule, a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy would have been required to prove not only that they were seriously ill, but also that their illness prevented them from meeting an 80-hour monthly work requirement.

The ruling builds on Governor Spanberger's work to protect Virginians' access to healthcare in response to the devastating cuts imposed by H.R. 1 - President Donald Trump's so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill."

Last week, Governor Spanberger announced the creation of the Virginia United Coalition, bringing together 32 organizations from across the Commonwealth to help Virginians navigate the devastating healthcare and food assistance cuts imposed by H.R. 1. Virginia is working to mitigate these harms by partnering with organizations spanning healthcare, food access, faith communities, workforce development, education, and philanthropy to help individuals understand changing federal requirements, maintain healthcare coverage and food assistance, and connect with critical resources.

In August, Governor Spanberger signed Executive Order 20 to strengthen the Commonwealth's response to the devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP imposed by H.R. 1. The Governor's order directs the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to protect healthcare coverage and food assistance for as many eligible Virginians as possible.

Virginia's 2026-2028 biennial budget also includes more than $500 million in investments to strengthen the Commonwealth's healthcare system. These investments include $150 million to create a new premium assistance program for the Marketplace to support Virginians in accessing affordable healthcare coverage, $225 million in a Federal Contingency Fund to contend with federal funding reductions, and $15 million to support Federally Qualified Health Centers, free clinics, and outreach workers in the wake of these federal cuts.

BACKGROUND

Virginia sued over CMS's updated rules alongside the Attorneys General for Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Click here for a copy of yesterday's ruling.

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