Pallone Blasts Decision Striking Down ACA’s Preventive Care Provisions

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the decision in Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra striking down the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) requirement that health insurance plans cover U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) "A" and "B" preventive services without cost-sharing for consumers:

"The decision striking down the Affordable Care Act's preventive services coverage requirement imperils access to lifesaving care including mammograms, lung cancer and skin cancer screenings, screenings for pregnant women and newborns, and PrEP. It has no basis in the law, will unnecessarily cause confusion, and will put lives at risk if people are forced to forgo routine screenings and treatment.

"The Department of Justice should immediately move to appeal this reckless decision and have it stayed so that Americans do not lose access to care. I am also calling on all health care insurers to commit to continuing to cover all preventive services without cost-sharing while this case is litigated and until final disposition of the lawsuit. There is no excuse to eliminate consumer protections because of a meritless decision that I expect will rightfully be overturned on appeal. I will be following up with insurers for their commitments in writing.

"Finally, it's incomprehensible that more than a decade after the ACA was signed into law, a rogue judge in Texas is still attempting to usurp clear congressional intent and undermine consumer protections. The ACA is here to stay and Democrats will stand united against Republicans' ongoing efforts to take away Americans' health care."

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