Appeals Court Upholds ACA’s Preventive Services Mandate, but Opens Door to Future Challenges

A federal appeals court on Friday preserved the Affordable Care Act’s popular mandate that private insurance cover preventive services at no cost to patients.

However, the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs, a group of Christian companies, did not have to comply with the mandate, leaving the door open for a broader ruling in the future that could undermine the mandate nationwide.

The appellate panel also ruled the task force that determines which preventive services are free must be confirmed by Congress, and asked a lower court to review the authority of the groups that make those decisions for contraception and vaccines.

Source: https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/aca-preventive-services-mandate-upheld-braidwood-becerra-lawsuit/719590/#