July 1, 2024 (Washington, DC) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit recently issued a narrow ruling that weakens a key provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This provision mandates that insurers provide free preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) at no cost to patients.

Millicent Gorham, CEO and Board Chair, Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP):

“The ruling, while narrow, builds upon previous efforts that undermine patient access to critical preventive health services. The Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention believes that early and equitable access to screening and diagnosis, vaccines, and other preventive treatments saves lives – particularly those of women and girls. The court’s decision weakening this provision will instead have the unintended consequence of limiting impacted individuals’ access to the care and services they need. While this decision may not broadly impact access currently, it opens the door for future challenges against covering preventive health services.”

AWHP previously commented on the Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra case when a Texas district court released a similar ruling last spring. In response to this decision, AWHP led an open letter signed by 22 national organizations to President Biden regarding the impact of the Braidwood Management v. Becerra ruling.

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The Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit organization working to ensure that all women and girls have access to high-quality preventive care. Our mission is to advance policy that drives equitable access and prevents the burden and progression of disease to improve the lives and health of all women and girls.  

For more information, please visit WomensHealthandPrevention.org and follow us on LinkedIn and X @AWHPOrg.

Media Contact: press@womenshealthandprevention.org