Medical industry responds to preventive care ruling

The court’s decision to terminate the Affordable Care Act’s guarantee of free access to preventive care has sparked opposition from major health trade associations, advocacy groups and members of the Democratic Party.

Judge Reid O’Connor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled on Thursday invalidating that part of the ACA, which allows patients to be screened for conditions such as cancer and HIV and other services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task. Power without cost sharing. The plaintiffs in the case objected on religious grounds to having their insurance premiums go towards contraceptives and PrEP drugs that reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

“All preventive services are available to everyone,” said Laurie Sobel, deputy director of women’s health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, during a briefing on Thursday. and request a stay while the case continues in the courts, she said.

The following are statements made in response to the court’s decision:

AHIP: “Every American deserves access to high-quality, affordable insurance coverage and health care, including affordable access to preventive care and services that help prevent disease and other health problems. As we review the decision and its potential impact on the preventive services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force, we want to be clear: Americans need to be reassured that there will be no immediate disruption to care or coverage. We fully expect this matter to be resolved on appeal and look forward to the federal government’s next steps in the lawsuit, as well as any guidance from the relevant federal agencies.” – President and CEO Matt Ailes

Health Elevance: “This does not change benefit coverage for our members. We will continue to cover preventive benefits in accordance with the terms of our member contracts,” the spokesperson said.

Community Plans Association: “This decision, if implemented, will limit access to the full range of preventive healthcare services, from cancer screening to HIV prevention and pre-eclampsia screening for expectant mothers. … We call on the Department of Justice to appeal this decision so that this decision can be suspended in order to ensure that the necessary forensic hygiene acts are carried out. In the meantime, our health plans will continue to work to equitably improve the health of all of their members, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” – CEO Margaret Murray

American Hospital Association: No comments.

Federation of American Hospitals: No comments.

Major hospitals in America: No comments.

American Medical Association: “The AMA is alarmed by today’s deeply flawed court decision in Texas, which jeopardizes access to preventive health care guaranteed by federal health care reform. … Denying access to proven preventive services goes against good policy and the social cost of creating barriers. to preventive services are immeasurable. Physicians know the inevitable result when the courts interfere with insurance coverage for effective, proven interventions. Patients will be exposed to unnecessary illness and preventable death. We urge employers and insurers to maintain this first dollar coverage while legislative and further litigation steps are considered.” – President Dr. Jack Reznek Jr.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Allowing personal or political bias to interfere with medical practice will harm our patients. No copay coverage for critical preventive care, such as HIV prevention, is designed to expand access to keep people healthy. …We must work to increase access to and use of all preventive services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Instead, we again find ourselves defending health care from external interference and responding to attempts to destroy our current system of preventive care. Today’s decision will leave more people without a livelihood. access to preventive care and exacerbate health inequalities among those who are now underinsured.” – News release

Human Rights Campaign: “This court decision is a slap in the face for every person who receives health care under the Affordable Care Act, a law designed to ensure that every American can have access to quality, affordable health care. Today, this full scope of care has been stripped away. It is important to note that insurance companies can continue to offer these services without service interruption – we encourage them to do so,” President Kelly Robinson.

HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute: “It is imperative that these critical preventive services continue for the health of our nation. We expect the U.S. government to take swift action to reverse this decision so that preventive services can continue nationwide, and to appeal it… Uniform Decision Our PrEP is based on deep discrimination against the people who may benefit from it, and would seriously hinder our efforts to reduce HIV cases… As the appeals process moves forward, we encourage insurance companies to act on their own and continue to cover these cost-sharing prevention services for the benefit of their members.” – Managing Director Carl Schmid

The White house: “This case is yet another attack on the Affordable Care Act, which has been the law of the land for 13 years… Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 150 million Americans have access to preventive care such as cancer and heart disease screening. … Sixty percent of people annually use ACA preventive care services … Preventive care saves lives, saves families money, and protects and improves our health … Attempts to undermine this requirement are wrong, and they put us back, not forward . Therefore, the administration will continue to fight to improve healthcare and make it more accessible to working families, even in the face of these attacks.” – Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

Senate Democrats: “This decision is not only wrong, but also downright dangerous and could cost lives. Whether it’s attacking such laws, depriving women of their right to vote, or trying to gut Medicaid, Republicans must end the relentless assault on American healthcare. I am calling for an immediate appeal and overturning of this injunction, and I also call on insurers to publicly state that they will continue to provide free preventive care.” – Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.)

House Democrats: “This decision is not based on legal grounds, but rather related to the guerrilla war for Americans’ access to medical care. For women, this means loss of coverage for mammograms, postnatal mental health services including breastfeeding support, and general need for preventive care.” – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts)
“The Department of Justice must immediately appeal this reckless decision and keep it in place so that Americans do not lose access to healthcare. I also urge all health insurers to commit to continuing to cover all preventive services without cost sharing while this case is pending in court and until the claim is finally decided. There is no justification for canceling consumer protection because of an unreasonable decision, which I expect will rightfully be overturned on appeal. I will contact the insurers in writing to meet their obligations,” said Energy and Trade Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (DN.J.)

The National Association of Community Health Centers, the American Academy of Family Physicians and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) did not respond to requests for comment. The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffreys (DN.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) provided no comment as of press time.

Lauren Berryman contributed to this story.