supreme Court Upholds⁣ ACA Mandate⁤ for preventive Care‌ Coverage

⁣ ⁤ Updated⁢ June 28, 2025
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The Supreme Court, in a ‍6-3 decision Friday, preserved ‍the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) mandate requiring⁢ insurers to cover certain preventive services without cost-sharing. Health advocates are calling this a​ major victory for ‍access to affordable healthcare and preventive​ care.

The ruling addresses ⁢a challenge brought by Braidwood Management,a Texas‍ firm with christian owners,which​ sought ⁢to exclude coverage for ‌HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other preventive services based on religious objections. The ACA requires coverage without copays for services receiving an “A” ‍or “B” ⁣rating from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Justice ⁢Brett Kavanaugh noted‍ in the majority opinion that the USPSTF has ⁤issued top ratings for over‌ 40 tests and treatments. These include⁣ screenings for ⁤cancer ⁢and diabetes,nicotine patches for smoking cessation,statins for heart disease​ and stroke prevention,and physical⁤ therapy⁤ to prevent‌ falls in older adults. The‌ mandate has allowed an estimated 152 million‌ Americans to access these preventive services without​ cost-sharing, according to a brief filed by‌ medical groups with the Supreme Court.

Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, hailed ⁣the decision as a victory against challenges‍ to the⁤ ACA, ensuring greater access to care. However,⁤ Wright also expressed concern about the HHS Secretary’s authority over the USPSTF, which determines ⁣covered preventive services.

“While this is a foundational​ victory for patients,‌ patients have ⁣reason to be concerned that the decision reaffirms the ability of the HHS ‌secretary, including our current one, to‌ control‌ the ⁤membership‌ and recommendations of the ⁣US Preventive Services Task Force that determines which preventive ‌services are covered,”​ Wright said.

The​ American Medical Association, the American Academy of ⁤Family ⁢Physicians, the⁣ American Cancer society, and ⁢roughly 30 other medical organizations​ jointly ⁣applauded the ruling. They argued that limiting preventive care coverage⁣ would worsen patient outcomes, increase ‍preventable deaths, and drive up⁢ long-term medical⁤ costs.

Kavanaugh addressed concerns that the USPSTF wielded unchecked power, ‌clarifying that the HHS Secretary can remove task force members and review⁣ or block their ‍recommendations. This ⁤authority⁤ was ​a key point in the court’s decision.

The American ‌Gastroenterological Association echoed Wright’s concerns, calling the ruling “positive news for patient‌ care protections”⁢ but remaining‍ “vigilant considering the secretary’s recent ⁣actions to other expert panels.”

What’s ⁢next

Advocates will continue monitoring the HHS Secretary’s actions regarding ​expert panels and working to ensure continued coverage⁢ of essential preventive screenings