Health and civil rights enforcement action. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The suit challenges a December 18, 2025 HHS 'declaration' that claims certain gender-affirming care is 'unsafe and ineffective' and threatens to exclude providers from Medicare/Medicaid for offering such care. The attorneys general argue HHS violated federal administrative law by implementing a major policy change without required notice-and-comment rulemaking, creating fear for patients and providers and threatening state Medicaid programs.
The coalition is asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon to declare the HHS declaration unlawful and issue an injunction blocking its enforcement.
Entity
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Also known as: HHS
Industry
HealthcareOfficial Press Release
https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-leads-lawsuit-challenging-attack-on-gender-affirming-care/
Oregon v Kennedy Complaint 25cv02409
https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Oregon-v-Kennedy-Complaint-25cv02409.pdf
Oregon Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/
Consumer protection and civil rights lawsuit filed by Oregon AG and 20 other states against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over unlawful funding conditions that coerce states into complying with policies unrelated to nutrition programs. The conditions relate to immigration, DEI, and gender identity, and are alleged to violate the Spending Clause and Administrative Procedure Act. The suit seeks to block these conditions to protect billions in funding for programs like SNAP, WIC, and school lunches that serve vulnerable populations.
Health enforcement action: Attorney General Rayfield led a coalition of 22 states and D.C. to secure a federal court order blocking the Trump Administration from threatening to cut off Medicare and Medicaid funding to healthcare providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth with gender dysphoria. The court ruled the administration's actions unlawful, protecting access to care and upholding the right to make personal healthcare decisions.
Environmental enforcement action where Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with a coalition of states and cities, filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA's unlawful rescission of the 2009 Endangerment Finding on greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge argues that the rescission ignores scientific evidence and legal precedent, threatening public health and environmental protections.
Antitrust enforcement action where Oregon AG filed a lawsuit to block the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna, alleging it violates Clayton Act Section 7 by substantially lessening competition in broadcasting, which could harm local news and raise consumer prices.
Antitrust enforcement action where Oregon Attorney General and a coalition of states filed a court brief opposing the $14 billion merger settlement between Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Juniper Networks, citing anticompetitive concerns and a corrupted process at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Consumer protection enforcement action where Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 24 states in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump Administration's imposition of tariffs on imported goods. The states argue the tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, as they cause financial harm to consumers and state governments by increasing prices and procurement costs.