A workaround by states to counter Trump administration cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies has largely succeeded in protecting consumers from higher costs, California and 17 other states said. The assessment came late Monday in a court filing asking U.S. Judge Vince Chhabria to put a lawsuit involving the cuts on hold. The filing says states have mostly protected subsidized consumers by allowing insurers to raise premiums on some plans offered on health care exchanges. The increases triggered additional tax credits for users who qualify for subsidies on copays and deductibles, it states. The U.S. Department of Justice said it had no comment. .. The states joining California in the lawsuit are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia. (Sudhin Thanawala, Associated Press)