Prevent Cancer Foundation commends 5th Circuit decision partially upholding ACA preventive care mandate

Editor’s Note: The original version of this statement incorrectly stated that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals had invalidated the coverage requirements for cost-free preventive services through the USPSTF for the entire 5th Circuit jurisdiction. This was incorrect. The court decision was invalidated only for the plaintiffs rather than for the entire population as decided by the district court. We strive to provide accurate and timely information, and we regret any confusion this error may have caused.

On Friday, June 21, in a win for cancer prevention and early detection advocates, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in Braidwood v. Becerra that partially reversed a district court decision on preventive services covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision says that nationwide, ACA requirements can remain in place that obligate health insurers across the U.S. to cover preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) at no cost to the patient. Rather than invalidating the coverage requirement for the entire population—as had been decided by the district court—the coverage requirement was only invalidated for the plaintiffs involved in the case.

This ruling comes after a precarious period following a March 2023 U.S. District Court decision that threatened to block ACA coverage requirements for any USPSTF recommendations made after March 23, 2010, the date the ACA was enacted. Such a block would have drastically affected access to free preventive care for conditions like cancer, depression, diabetes and HIV. The Biden administration appealed this decision, putting the ruling on hold until the 5th Circuit’s recent verdict.

Die Biden-Regierung legte gegen das Urteil des US-Bezirksrichters Reed O‘Connor Berufung ein, und die Versicherungsregelung wurde bis zu einem endgültigen Urteil ausgesetzt.

Der Versicherungsschutz für routinemäßige Krebsvorsorgeuntersuchungen und andere Vorsorgeleistungen ist von entscheidender Bedeutung – so die Prevent Cancer Foundation. Früherkennungsumfrage 2024Der häufigste Grund dafür, dass nicht versicherte Erwachsene ihre routinemäßigen Krebsvorsorgeuntersuchungen nicht durchführen lassen (oder sich nicht sicher sind, ob sie auf dem neuesten Stand sind), ist die Unfähigkeit, sich die Kosten zu leisten.

“It’s a relief that coverage of preventive care is protected for millions of insured Americans, a significant aspect of ensuring access to essential health services that lead to healthier lives. But this ruling does not guarantee coverage for everyone indefinitely,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “With legal options remaining that could reverse coverage, the Foundation continues to monitor the case to ensure Americans can check their health in an affordable, accessible way.”

Die Stiftung hofft, dass der Oberste Gerichtshof einer Berufung in diesem Fall zustimmt, damit mehr Amerikaner Zugang zu kostenlosen Vorsorgeleistungen haben.

Damit lebensrettende Vorsorgeuntersuchungen für alle zugänglich sind, ist es wichtig, dass sie erschwinglich sind. Routinemäßige Krebsvorsorgeuntersuchungen können Krebs frühzeitig erkennen (selbst wenn Sie keine Anzeichen oder Symptome haben) und eine frühzeitige Krebserkennung kann zu besseren Gesundheitsergebnissen führen.

Informationen zu kostenlosen und kostengünstigen Krebsvorsorgeuntersuchungen finden Sie unter preventcancer.org/kostenlos.