Patient Organizations Warn of Lawsuit that Threatens Coverage for Preventive Services and Immunizations

Twenty-four organizations representing millions of people with or at risk for serious or chronic illnesses who have benefitted from access to preventive services issued the following statement:

“Access to preventive healthcare can prevent both disease and early death. In recent years, more than 150 million Americans have benefited from expanded access to preventive services under the Affordable Care Act.

A pending lawsuit threatens that access and other key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Plaintiffs in Kelley v Becerra seek to strip away cost-free health coverage for preventive services as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and other government experts, reinstating financial barriers that in the past discouraged all too many Americans from obtaining preventive care.

Among the Affordable Care Act’s most popular and effective provisions have been the requirement that insurance cover – without cost-sharing – services that help screen for and prevent disease. Not only are preventative services such as contraception and HIV prevention provided at no additional cost to patients, so too are other important services such as screenings for cancer and hypertension, helping smokers quit, routine immunizations, and preventive care for pregnant women and babies.” Studies repeatedly show that high-quality coverage, complete with preventive services, improves the overall health of patients and our country, lowers overall health spending, and reduces health disparities.

This litigation directly threatens these benefits and would result in a return to financial and other barriers proven to discourage Americans from obtaining lifesaving, preventive care.

Kelley v Becerra is before Judge Reed O’Connor, a federal district court judge in the Northern District of Texas. Oral arguments are scheduled for July 26. Our organizations are deeply committed to ensuring patients – and all Americans – have access to the care they need, and we will vigorously defend patients’ right to access these critical services.”

• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• American Kidney Fund
• American Lung Association
• Arthritis Foundation
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Cancer Support Community
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Epilepsy Foundation
• Hemophilia Federation of America
• Immune Deficiency Foundation
• Lupus Foundation of America
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• National Health Council
• National Hemophilia Foundation
• National Kidney Foundation
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• National Patient Advocate Foundation
• National Psoriasis Foundation
• Susan G. Komen
• The AIDS Institute
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease