### Impact of Recent Federal Court Ruling on Preventive Services Health experts across the country are working to determine which preventive services may no longer be free to patients following a recent federal court ruling. The ruling struck down part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that mandated free preventive services, citing it as unconstitutional. This decision could potentially affect services like screenings for lung cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and diabetes, among others. The Department of Justice has filed an appeal against this ruling, and no immediate changes are expected. Legal experts suggest that a stay might be granted, keeping the current services in place until the appeal is decided. This case, known as Braidwood v. Becerra, could even reach the Supreme Court. Under the ACA, preventive services with an A or B grade from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are covered without out-of-pocket costs. The ruling challenges this mandate, arguing that the USPSTF, an independent panel of experts, does not meet the constitutional requirement for federal decision-making. If the ruling is upheld, newer recommendations made by the USPSTF since 2010, such as lung and skin cancer screenings and cholesterol-lowering statins, might no longer be free. However, experts believe that insurers may still cover these services but could introduce cost-sharing measures like copays. Vaccines and pregnancy care are not expected to be affected by this ruling. However, there is concern that even small cost-sharing amounts could deter people from seeking preventive care, leading to worse health outcomes. For now, it's important to continue getting recommended preventive care. Changes, if any, are unlikely to happen immediately as insurance contracts are typically set for the year. States may also have their own mandates for preventive services, although they cannot regulate self-insured plans, which cover most people. In summary, while the ruling has caused concern, the list of free preventive services remains extensive. Stay informed and continue to prioritize your preventive health care.