Supreme Court to review Obamacare's no-cost coverage of cancer screenings, heart statins and HIV drugs

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

Published 6:10 PM EST, Fri January 10, 2025


CNN — The Supreme Court said Friday it will review the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s no-cost coverage mandates for certain preventive care services, putting the landmark health care law in front of the justices again just as President-elect Donald Trump – who tried to repeal the law during his first presidency – returns to the White House.

While not an existential threat to Obamacare, the case could imperil access Americans have to cost-free preventive treatments and services, including HIV prevention medications, heart statins and various screenings for cancers and other diseases.

The cost of some of these preventive services can be substantial, which would deter some people – particularly those with lower incomes – from accessing the care and slow the early detection of potentially deadly illnesses.

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the mandates in question, based on the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force, violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution because its members are not appointed by the president with Senate confirmation. The 5th Circuit’s ruling was directed at no-cost coverage requirements implemented after Obamacare’s enactment in March 2010. The appellate ruling only blocked the mandates as applied to the challengers of the specific case, a Texas business and several individuals.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/10/politics/obamacare-supreme-court-hiv-prep-cancer-screening-heart-statin/index.html

[riversedge]

1. A HUGE part of medical care are procedures to PREVENT later medical problems. Do the Repugs not know this??

[pnwmom]

8. The members of Congress know it and they don't care. Low information voters do not understand. nt

[riversedge]

9. That the Repugs in Congress do not care is correct!!

[sakabatou]

11. The Republican healthcare plan is, if you get sick, die quickly. -Alan Grayson

[bucolic_frolic]

2. You can pay me now or pay me later.

The politicians are in our doctors' offices with us. May as well invite the Justices along for the ride.

[gay texan]

3. There goes Prep...... n/t

[babylonsister]

4. What heartless cretin is behind this? nt

[Silent Type]

5. So far, SC has upheld ACA. Who knows with this case, but SC has generally supported legislation enacted by Congress.

[TBF]

6. Once again, low income MAGATs shoot themselves in the foot &

try to take everyone else down with them. The people who voted for Trump are so incredibly stupid.

[IcyPeas]

7. "THEY" all have the best health insurance money can buy.... who pays for that?

[Rebl2]

12. You & me

[TheRickles]

10. The Task Force only made recommendations, so what does it matter who appointed them?

It was up to Congress to decide on whether to implement these recommended ideas, which they did and which they have the power to do. Seems like yet another bogus legalistic misinterpretation of the intent of the law in order to undermine a progressive Democratic program.

[LudwigPastorius]

13. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force was authorized by Congress and convened under Ronnie Reagan's...

Sec. of Health in 1984.

So no, its members don't have to be confirmed by the Senate.

Besides, regardless of where the specifics of a bill come from, that bill must be voted on, and passed, by Congress before becoming law, which the ACA most assuredly WAS.