- A federal appeals court recently ruled that health insurers must uphold the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to cover certain preventive services like cancer screenings and behavioral counseling without cost-sharing. The decision, seen as pivotal, maintains the ACA’s provision despite challenges from Christian-owned companies questioning the authority behind the coverage requirements set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). While the court overturned a nationwide injunction that blocked the mandate, it also directed a lower court to re-examine the legality of other preventive services not explicitly recommended by the USPSTF, such as vaccines and contraception. This ruling underscores ongoing legal debates about the scope and authority of health care mandates under the ACA, impacting access to essential health services for millions of Americans. (Articles here, here, and here)
June 24, 2024
Access & Coverage | Tea Leaves | Uncategorized