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Supreme Court to Hear Landmark ACA Preventive Care Case

Oral arguments on April 21 will address constitutional and religious challenges to the ACA's no-cost preventive services mandate, potentially reshaping health care access for millions.

A doctor looks at two computer screens outside a CT scan room where a patient is moving through the scanning machine -- Health coverage from STAT
The Supreme Court building is seen at sunrise.
A sign directs people to an insurance company where they can sign up for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in Miami in 2015.
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Overview

  • The case, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, questions the constitutionality of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's authority to mandate no-cost preventive care under the ACA.
  • A Texas federal court and the 5th Circuit previously ruled that the USPSTF mandate violated the Appointments Clause, with the Supreme Court now set to decide the issue.
  • The Trump administration has unexpectedly defended the ACA provision, arguing that oversight by the HHS Secretary satisfies constitutional requirements.
  • If the mandate is overturned, insurers could impose cost-sharing for preventive services like cancer screenings, PrEP for HIV prevention, and statins, potentially reducing access for millions.
  • Studies show that nearly 40 million Americans currently rely on ACA-guaranteed free services, with experts warning that a ruling against the mandate could lead to worse health outcomes and increased disease rates.