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.

बिडेन प्रशासन ने अमेरिकी जिला न्यायाधीश रीड ओ'कॉनर के फैसले के खिलाफ अपील की, और अंतिम फैसला आने तक कवरेज नियम को रोक दिया गया।

प्रिवेंट कैंसर फाउंडेशन के अनुसार, नियमित कैंसर जांच और अन्य निवारक सेवाओं के लिए बीमा कवरेज महत्वपूर्ण है। 2024 प्रारंभिक जांच सर्वेक्षणबिना बीमा वाले वयस्कों द्वारा अपनी नियमित कैंसर जांचों को अद्यतन न कराने (या उन्हें इस बात की जानकारी न होने) का सबसे आम कारण, लागत वहन करने में असमर्थता है।

“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.”

फाउंडेशन को उम्मीद है कि सुप्रीम कोर्ट इस मामले में अपील पर सुनवाई करने के लिए सहमत हो जाएगा, ताकि अधिक अमेरिकियों को निःशुल्क निवारक सेवाओं तक पहुंच मिल सके।

जीवनरक्षक जांच को सभी के लिए सुलभ बनाने के लिए वहनीयता सुनिश्चित करना आवश्यक है। नियमित कैंसर जांच से कैंसर का जल्द पता लगाया जा सकता है (भले ही आपको कोई संकेत या लक्षण न हों) और कैंसर का जल्दी पता लगने से बेहतर स्वास्थ्य परिणाम मिल सकते हैं।

निःशुल्क और कम लागत वाली कैंसर जांच के बारे में जानकारी के लिए, यहां जाएं Preventcancer.org/निःशुल्क.