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.
La administración Biden apeló el fallo del juez de distrito estadounidense Reed O'Connor y la regla de cobertura quedó en suspenso hasta que se pudiera tomar un fallo final.
La cobertura de seguro para exámenes de detección de cáncer de rutina y otros servicios preventivos es fundamental, según la Fundación Prevent Cancer. Encuesta de Detección Temprana 2024, la razón más común por la que los adultos sin seguro no están al día (o no están seguros de estar al día) en sus exámenes de detección de cáncer de rutina es la incapacidad de pagar el costo.
“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.”
La Fundación tiene la esperanza de que la Corte Suprema acepte escuchar una apelación de este caso para que más estadounidenses tengan acceso a servicios preventivos gratuitos.
Garantizar la asequibilidad es esencial para que los exámenes de detección que salvan vidas sean accesibles para todos. Los exámenes de detección de cáncer de rutina pueden detectar el cáncer en forma temprana (incluso si no presenta signos ni síntomas) y la detección temprana del cáncer puede conducir a mejores resultados de salud.
Para obtener información sobre exámenes de detección de cáncer gratuitos y de bajo costo, visite preventcancer.org/free.