Trump’s Group Health Plan Rules Struck Down as ACA `End-Run’ (4)

One of President Donald Trump’s health-care initiatives intended as a cheaper alternative to Obamacare suffered a crucial defeat when a judge ruled the policy violates the Affordable Care Act.

U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington March 28 blocked new rules governing so-called association health plans, or AHPs, which let businesses and individuals band together to create group health plans that offer less expensive coverage than the ACA -- but without some of its protections.

The decision is the second blow to Trump’s health agenda in as many days. It follows twin rulings March 27 by another Washington judge who ...