A federal judge in Texas has struck down a crucial Affordable Care Act policy: the mandate that private health insurers fully cover preventive care services at no cost to patients, the New York Times reported. The ruling took effect immediately last week and applies nationwide. It affects dozens of potentially lifesaving preventive health care services that the federal government recommends, including drugs that prevent H.I.V. transmission and screenings for adolescent depression. Health policy experts describe free preventive care as one of Obamacare’s most transformative policies because it took away a financial barrier to needed care for tens of millions of Americans. It is also one of the law’s more popular provisions, with 62 percent of the public recently saying it is “very important” that it stay in place. The new court ruling has already brought the Affordable Care Act back into the political fray, as Democrats quickly vowed to protect the law. The Biden administration plans to appeal the ruling, setting up the possibility of yet another presidential election cycle with a potential Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare looming. For now, even though the ruling has wide reach, most people aren’t likely to see their health benefits change overnight. (Subscription required to view article.)
