Fact Check: Supreme Court Preserves Health Coverage for 150 Million Americans
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a crucial provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which ensures that approximately 150 million Americans will continue to receive many preventive health services at no cost. The ruling was a 6-3 decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh joining the court's three liberal justices in the majority (NPR, Washington Post).
The case revolved around a challenge to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which recommends preventive services that must be covered by private insurance without cost-sharing. The plaintiffs argued that the appointment process for the task force members was unconstitutional, as they were not confirmed by the Senate. However, the Supreme Court found that the task force members are classified as "inferior officers," allowing them to be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (The Hill, CBS8).
The preventive services covered under the ACA include essential treatments such as HIV prevention medications, cancer screenings, and immunizations. Without this coverage, many Americans would face significant out-of-pocket costs for these critical health services (NPR, Washington Post).
Analysis
The Supreme Court's decision is significant for several reasons. First, it confirms the ACA's preventive care provisions, which have been in place for over a decade and have benefited millions of Americans. The ruling protects essential health services that could have been jeopardized by the lower courts' decisions, which had sided with the plaintiffs who sought to challenge the ACA (NPR, The Hill).
The plaintiffs in the case, including Christian employers, argued against the requirement to cover certain preventive services, particularly those related to HIV prevention, citing religious objections. However, the court's majority opinion emphasized the importance of maintaining a chain of command within the executive branch, affirming that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has the authority to appoint task force members (Washington Post, CBS8).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from reputable news organizations, including NPR, The Washington Post, and The Hill, which have a history of accurate reporting on legal and health issues. Their coverage provides a balanced view of the court's decision and its implications for American health care.
Conclusion
The claim that the Supreme Court preserved health coverage for 150 million Americans is True. The court's ruling ensures that critical preventive health services remain accessible without cost-sharing, directly benefiting a significant portion of the U.S. population. This decision reinforces the ACA's framework and protects against potential financial burdens that could arise from the loss of preventive care coverage.
