What Lies Ahead for ACA’s Preventive Care Coverage Mandate?

On March 30, a single federal judge in Texas struck down a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that required free coverage for a host of preventive health services for people with private insurance. Under this decision, private health plans are no longer required to cover certain cancer screenings , services or medications to prevent heart disease , or perinatal depression preventive interventions, among others, with no cost sharing. The decision will likely apply to those tests or treatment recommendations made after 2010 (when the ACA went into effect). While most insurers will continue covering preventive health services, many may require significant co-pays and deductibles, which could drive people away from clinical care that could prevent major disease and disability. The impacts will be distributed inequitably, with lower-income and working-class Americans most affected.

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