Baltimore City joined citizens from four other U.S. cities in filing suit today against the Trump administration alleging intentional and unlawful sabotage of the Affordable Care Act.

The complaint was filed on behalf of Baltimore, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago and citizens in Charlottesville, Virginia. It alleges that President Donald Trump and his administration have violated a constitutional duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” and in turn jeopardized access to affordable, quality health insurance. The suit, filed in Maryland federal court, challenges the administration’s actions against the ACA under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Take Care Clause of the Constitution. It calls on the court to order the president to faithfully execute the law.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said her health department’s clinics "serve as a safety net" for uninsured and underinsured residents, providing essential health services ranging from reproductive health and dental care to HIV/AIDS and addiction treatment.

“By intentionally sabotaging the ACA, the Trump administration is directly increasing the number of uninsured and underinsured Baltimoreans. This will increase demand for our services, without additional resources," Wen said in a statement. She has said her department operates on a budget that is more than 80 percent funded by federal and local government sources. "We will continue to provide as much care as we can on a shoestring budget, because we believe that health care is a fundamental right, and should not be reserved for only the wealthy.”

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