Supreme Court's Ruling on ACA Could Alter Access to Preventive Health Services
Washington, D.C., Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s provision mandating no-cost preventive health services, a decision that might impact millions’ access to necessary services.
Key Constitutional Challenge
The Supreme Court heard arguments on April 21, 2025, regarding the constitutionality of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a 16-member panel that determines which preventive services must be covered without cost-sharing under the ACA [1]. The case, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, centers on whether task force members were properly appointed under the Constitution’s Appointments Clause [2]. Conservative justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch appeared sympathetic to the challengers’ arguments [1], while Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett seemed more inclined to uphold the existing arrangement [3].
Public Health Implications
The stakes are particularly high, with approximately 150 million Americans with private health insurance potentially affected by the outcome [3]. A study indicates that at least 39 million people, or 30% of those with private health insurance, currently utilize at least one of the ten services most at risk from this legal challenge [2]. According to Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, an adverse ruling could lead to ‘more cancer, more heart disease, more strokes, more complications from pregnancy, more drug misuse and, frankly, more preventable deaths’ [2].
Administration’s Defense
In a notable development, the Trump administration is defending the ACA’s preventive care provisions [4], despite the president’s previous opposition to the law. Deputy Solicitor General Hashim Mooppan argued that the Health and Human Services Secretary maintains sufficient control over the task force, as members can be removed at will [2][5]. This position has gained support from both the Trump and Biden administrations, who argue this provides a ‘powerful tool to influence their recommendations’ [2].
Looking Ahead
The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision by June 2025 [1][2]. Health policy experts warn that even minimal cost-sharing requirements could significantly reduce preventive care utilization [2]. The ruling could also impact other government panels that help Americans access free preventive care, including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative [2]. The outcome will be particularly significant for women, as nearly half of women with private health insurance currently receive free preventive services through these recommendations [2].