Fact Check: Supreme Court Protects Free Preventive Care for 150 Million Americans
What We Know
The claim that the Supreme Court protects free preventive care for 150 million Americans is substantiated by recent legal developments. On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which ensures that approximately 150 million people will continue to receive many free preventive services. This decision was reached with a 6-3 vote, where Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh joined the three liberal justices in the majority (NPR). The ruling allows the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to continue determining which services are available at no cost under the ACA, thereby preserving access to essential preventive care (Axios).
A study from the Stanford Prevention Policy Modeling Lab indicates that nearly 30% of privately insured individuals in the U.S., or about 40 million people, utilize at least one of the free preventive health services guaranteed under the ACA (Stanford). This includes essential screenings and preventive treatments that have been shown to improve health outcomes significantly.
Analysis
The Supreme Court's ruling is critical in maintaining the ACA's preventive services mandate, which has been a cornerstone of health care access in the United States since its enactment. The decision directly counters lower court rulings that deemed the appointment process of USPSTF members unconstitutional, asserting that these members do not require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation (NPR). Justice Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, emphasized that the Department of Health and Human Services retains the authority to appoint task force members, thereby preserving the structure of executive oversight (NPR).
The implications of this ruling are profound. The ACA's preventive services mandate covers a wide range of health screenings and treatments, including those for cancer, diabetes, and HIV, which are vital for early detection and intervention (Stanford). The potential loss of these services could have led to increased health care costs and worse health outcomes for millions of Americans, as noted by health policy experts (NPR).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with NPR and Axios being established news organizations known for their thorough reporting on legal and health policy matters. The Stanford study is a peer-reviewed research effort that provides empirical data on the usage of preventive services, further supporting the claim's validity.
Conclusion
The claim that the Supreme Court protects free preventive care for 150 million Americans is True. The recent Supreme Court ruling ensures that millions will continue to benefit from no-cost preventive health services mandated by the ACA. This decision not only preserves essential health care access but also reinforces the role of the USPSTF in determining necessary preventive services.
