Supreme Court Upholds Landmark ACA Preventive Care Provision, Securing Benefits for Millions

Supreme Court Upholds Landmark ACA Preventive Care Provision, Securing Benefits for Millions

Supreme Court Upholds Landmark ACA Preventive Care Provision, Securing Benefits for Millions

Supreme Court Upholds Landmark ACA Preventive Care Provision, Securing Benefits for Millions
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In a significant decision handed down on Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed a crucial component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ensuring that an estimated 150 million Americans will continue to receive a wide array of free preventive health services. The 6-3 ruling saw Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh join the court’s three liberal justices in the majority.

The high court sided with the government, allowing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to maintain its authority in determining which services are provided without cost under ACA-covered insurance plans. The challenge stemmed from a lawsuit disputing the appointment process for members of the 16-person task force, with lower courts initially deeming the appointments unconstitutional.

Justice Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, clarified that the Department of Health and Human Services possesses the power to appoint task force members, stating, ‘Task Force members are supervised and directed by the Secretary, who in turn answers to the President, preserving the chain of command in Article II.’ The case was specifically prompted by religious objections to the ACA’s mandate for coverage of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs, vital for HIV prevention, which opponents claimed promoted behaviors contrary to their beliefs. However, the ruling safeguards not only PrEP but also other essential preventive services like blood pressure screenings, birth control, cancer screenings, and immunizations.

This decision alleviates concerns among health advocates who feared that undoing the provision would impose significant financial burdens on individuals, potentially discouraging crucial early detection and preventive care. Experts, like Dr. Mark Fendrick of the University of Michigan, underscored the widespread impact, noting that few other health policies affect as many Americans as the preventive services provision.

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