PAN joins health groups applauding stay in Braidwood v. Becerra lawsuit to protect coverage for preventative services

This week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an administrative stay on the remedy in the case of Braidwood v. Becerra, which threatens coverage of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended preventive services without cost sharing as required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The nation’s leading health groups, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, HIV+ Hepatitis Policy Institute, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the PAN Foundation, issued the following statement:

“Our organizations strongly support today’s stay and urge the court to leave the stay in place for the duration of its consideration of the case. Under the March 30 ruling, millions of people would no longer have the guarantee of cost-free coverage for preventive services recommended by the USPSTF after the enactment of the ACA in March 2010, including lung cancer screening; counseling interventions for individuals who are pregnant or postpartum; screening for anxiety in children and adolescents, screenings for Hepatitis B and C, and medications to prevent HIV.

“Numerous research studies have proven the benefits of preventive services. They ensure people can prevent, detect and treat their conditions as early as possible, improving health outcomes and saving patients and the health care system money.

“This stay means that people in the U.S. can still access these lifesaving services at no cost as this case is appealed. Our organizations will continue to work to make sure everyone in the U.S. has access to quality and affordable healthcare.”