The Trump administration is facing a new multiple state lawsuit following its decision to end key Obamacare payments to insurers.

In a statement, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said he is leading a coalition of states to file a case against the Trump administration. The coalition is composed of 18 states and the District of Columbia.

On Thursday night, the White House said the federal government will stop the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments for insurers under Obamacare.

According to the Trump administration, Congress did not appropriate funds for CSR payments. The previous administration circumvented the appropriation process and unlawfully used unappropriated funding for CSR payments.

In response, Democratic leaders denounced the federal government's action as “spiteful” and a “pointless sabotage on working families.”

California AG says Trump administration violates the law

On Friday, Attorney General Becerra argued that the federal government’s decision was “harsh” and “violates the law.” He also stated that it will “lead to higher costs,” putting the health coverage of more than six million Americans at risk.

He said, “Taking these legally required subsidies away from working families' health plans…is completely reckless. This is sabotage, plain and simple.”

According to Becerra, the mandatory CSR payments under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) help working families purchase healthcare insurance.

Additionally, Becerra noted that in one week, the Trump administration re-opened the door to junk insurance plans. It cut access to contraception for millions of women.

Becerra vowed that he and his colleagues will fight vigorously to ensure American taxpayers receive the healthcare the law provides.

Trump can’t use New York families as pawn to gut Obamacare

Separately, New York AG Eric Schneiderman said hundreds of thousands of families in their state depend on Obamacare subsidies for healthcare. He emphasized that it is unacceptable to force Congress to the negotiating table by threatening cuts to these subsidies.

According to him, “I will not allow President Trump to once again use New York families as political pawns in his dangerous, partisan campaign to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act at any cost.”

Schneiderman noted that the courts granted their intervention to defend Obamacare’s vital subsidies. He said, “Our coalition of states stands ready to sue if President Trump cuts them off."