U.S. District Court ruling threatens access to free, lifesaving cancer screenings under the Affordable Care Act
FODER SOFORTIGE FREIGABE
Kyra Meister
703-836-1746
kyra.meister@preventcancer.org
Alexandria, Virginia – Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor struck down a requirement in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a ruling that threatens access to preventive care services—including but not limited to colonoscopies, mammograms and Pap tests—for millions of Americans.
Judge O’Connor’s ruling applies to a crucial provision of the ACA that requires insurers to cover preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) at no cost to the patient. Before this ruling, coverage was required on a wide range of these preventive services, but this week’s decision blocks coverage requirements for any recommendations made before the ACA was signed into law and would apply nationwide, having a massive effect on free preventive care for cancer, depression, diabetes and HIV. (While the USPSTF had recommended some preventive services prior to the ACA becoming law, nearly all recommendations have been updated or expanded since that date.) The Biden administration is likely to appeal the ruling.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation strongly opposes the decision eliminating free coverage of preventive services and urges the federal government to appeal the ruling. Routine cancer screening can detect cancer early (even if you have no signs or symptoms) and early detection of cancer can mean less extensive treatment, more treatment options and better chances of survival. This ruling jeopardizes the opportunity for millions of Americans to check their health in an affordable, accessible way.
“Prevention and early detection saves lives, and it really is as simple as that,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “Increasing the costs people pay for prevention and early detection services, such as routine cancer screenings, and limiting access, will lead to diagnoses of cancers at later stages. We have made great strides in reducing death and suffering from cancer because it was made a priority. Going backwards and restricting access does not serve the people of this country.”
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is deeply committed to advocating for access to preventive care on behalf of all people and will continue to monitor this issue. For more information on free and low-cost cancer screenings, please visit our website.
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Über die Prevent Cancer Foundation®
Die Stiftung Prevent Cancer® Ist die einzigen USA-basierend gemeinnützige Organisation einzig und allein gewidmet Zu Krebs Prävention und frühzeitige Erkennung. Durch Forschung, Bildung, Reichweite und Interessenvertretung, Wir haben unzähligen Menschen geholfen, eine Krebsdiagnose zu vermeiden oder ihren Krebs früh genug zu erkennen, um eine erfolgreiche Behandlung zu ermöglichen. Was uns antreibt eine Vision einer Welt, in der Krebs vermeidbar ist, nachweisbarer und schlagbar für alle.
Die Stiftung stellt sich der Herausforderung, die Zahl der Krebstoten bis 2035 um 40% zu senken. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, wir sind verpflichtet sich, $20 Millionen in innovative Technologien zur Früherkennung von Krebs und zur Mehr-Krebsvorsorge, $10 Millionen zur Ausweitung des Zugangs zu Krebsvorsorge und Impfungen für medizinisch unterversorgte Gemeinden und $10 Millionen, um die Öffentlichkeit über Screening- und Impfmöglichkeiten aufzuklären.
Für weitere Informationen, besuchen Sie bitte www.preventcancer.org.