Supreme Court Challenges Free Preventive Care Under the Affordable Care Act

A significant legal case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court that could impact access to free preventive health services covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than 150 million Americans could potentially lose coverage for essential preventive measures such as colonoscopy screenings for younger adults, screenings for lung cancer via chest CT scans, cholesterol-lowering statin medications, and drug addiction screenings. The case, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, questions how the government determines which preventive services should be covered at no cost, specifically challenging the role of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

The USPSTF, composed of independent medical experts appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services—which is currently held by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—reviews scientific evidence to recommend preventive services that benefit the public. The legal challenge, originally filed in 2022 by conservative Christian employers in Texas, claims that requiring private insurers to cover USPSTF recommendations violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, arguing that members of the USPSTF should be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

If the Supreme Court rules against the current process, insurance providers may no longer be mandated to fully cover several preventive health measures recommended since the ACA's implementation in 2010. For example, the USPSTF in 2021 lowered the recommended screening age for colon cancer from 50 to 45, a move supported by data indicating colorectal cancer is a leading cause of death among men under 50. Reversing this recommendation could lead to increased rates of colon cancer and related deaths.

The Trump administration supported the lawsuit during its first term but has since shifted to defend the current system, emphasizing the qualifications and independence of the USPSTF. Experts like Michael Sapienza of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance argue that the task force’s recommendations have been vital in improving preventive care and urge Congress and the administration to increase funding for these efforts, which are currently limited.

The outcome of this case could reshape how preventive health services are funded and administered, potentially reducing access to free preventive care for millions of Americans. This decision holds significant implications for public health, cancer screening, and the prevention of chronic diseases.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-supreme-court-case-free.html