Fact Check: Court rules 6-3 to uphold ACA's preventive care amid fierce legal challenges
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically its provision for preventive care. The court upheld the ACA's requirement that insurance companies provide certain preventive services at no cost to patients, ensuring continued access for approximately 150 million Americans to free preventive services such as cancer screenings and medications for heart disease (NPR, New York Times). The decision was made with a 6-3 majority, which included Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh joining the three liberal justices in support of the ACA (Washington Post).
The case revolved around the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is responsible for determining which preventive services must be covered without cost-sharing. The plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the task force's appointment process, arguing that it violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court found that the task force members are considered "inferior officers," allowing them to be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services rather than requiring presidential appointment and Senate confirmation (PBS).
Analysis
The ruling is significant not only for its immediate implications for preventive health care coverage but also for its broader impact on the ACA's stability. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Kavanaugh, emphasized that the task force operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is accountable to the President, thereby maintaining a constitutional chain of command (NPR, New York Times).
Critically, the dissenting opinions, particularly from Justice Thomas, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the task force's member appointments prior to a recent change that elevated the appointment authority to the Secretary. However, the majority opinion countered this by asserting that the task force's structure allows for adequate oversight and accountability, thus justifying the current appointment process (Washington Post).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from established news organizations known for their legal reporting. NPR, the New York Times, and the Washington Post have a history of providing accurate and thorough coverage of Supreme Court decisions, making them reliable for understanding the implications of this ruling.
Conclusion
The claim that the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold the ACA's preventive care provisions is True. The court's decision not only affirms the constitutionality of the preventive services task force but also protects access to essential health services for millions of Americans. The ruling reflects a significant moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the ACA, reinforcing the law's framework for preventive care.
Sources
- SCOTUS upholds key ACA measure on preventive care ...
- Justices Uphold Preventive Care Provision in Affordable ...
- Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act's preventive ...
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- Supreme Court upholds key part of Affordable Care Act's ...
