The AAMC signed on to a July 25 joint statement led by the American Medical Association along with 60 leading medical organizations expressing concern that a lawsuit could jeopardize coverage of preventive health services for Americans with private health insurance.
The lawsuit, Kelley v. Becerra, which is in the Northern District of Texas federal court, challenges a section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires insurers to cover preventive health services with no cost to consumers. The statement expressed concern that with an “adverse ruling, patients would lose access to vital preventive health care services, such as screening for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, preeclampsia, and hearing, as well as well child visits and access to immunizations critical to maintaining a healthy population.”
The AAMC, along with the American Public Health Association and 20 health policy experts, submitted an amicus brief to the court in February 2022 supporting the provision in the ACA that allows for coverage of preventative health services at no cost to consumers. U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor is expected to rule on the case in the coming weeks.