Supreme Court Case Could Threaten ACA Preventive Coverage

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, a case with potential widespread effects on the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) preventive services coverage. The case originated from a challenge by Christian-owned businesses in Texas, initially disputing the ACA's mandate to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, citing religious objections.

A 2022 district court ruling sided with the challengers, also questioning the constitutionality of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which issues key health screening and preventive service guidelines used by insurers nationwide.

The Biden administration has appealed to maintain the ACA provisions, despite mixed views on the law, aiming to uphold current public health protections. The USPSTF's guidelines ensure no-cost coverage for critical health services, including cancer screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and lung CT scans, along with preventive medications and genetic testing like BRCA gene screening.

Public health experts warn that overturning these requirements could lead to reduced screening rates, delayed diagnoses, and ultimately, worse health outcomes. The case extends beyond cancer prevention to cover other essential services, such as cardiovascular disease medications like statins, diabetes screening, and sexually transmitted infection testing and vaccinations.

Prominent organizations, including Susan G. Komen and the American Cancer Society, have submitted briefs urging the Supreme Court to uphold the ACA's preventive coverage, fearing that a ruling against the ACA could reverse progress in early detection and cost-effective preventive care. The outcome of this case holds significant implications for insurers, healthcare providers, and millions of Americans relying on covered preventive health services nationwide.