US Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Task Force—Free Preventive Care Gets Lifeline

In a major win for public health, the US Supreme Court on June 27, 2025, ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Preventive Services Task Force, preserving the mandate that requires health insurers to cover preventive care at no cost to patients. The decision overturns a lower court ruling that had challenged the constitutionality of the task force’s structure, which critics argued violated the Appointments Clause of the US Constitution.

 

The ruling ensures continued access to no-cost screenings, vaccinations, and preventive treatments, including HIV-prevention medication (PrEP), cancer screenings, and heart disease interventions. The Court emphasized the public health benefits and bipartisan support for preventive care, noting that millions of Americans could lose access if the mandate were struck down.

 

The case had sparked national concern, with health advocates warning that reversing the mandate would disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities. The decision is seen as a reaffirmation of the ACA’s core principles and a blow to efforts aimed at dismantling its preventive care provisions.

 

Key Highlights:

Date: June 27, 2025

 

Ruling: ACA’s Preventive Services Task Force upheld

 

Impact: No-cost preventive care remains intact

 

Services protected: PrEP, cancer screenings, heart health, more

 

Legal context: Appointments Clause challenge rejected

 

Source: PBS News