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The Justice Department on Friday appealed a federal judge's decision to invalidate the Affordable Care Act requirement for free coverage of specified preventive health services.
Why it matters: The move kicks off a legal process that could wind up at the Supreme Court and has financial implications for some 150 million Americans on employer-sponsored health plans.
Driving the news: The appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was widely expected and comes after Texas-based U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor on Thursday struck down the preventive services requirement.
- "For over a decade, the Affordable Care Act has ensured that millions of Americans have access to critical preventative health care. The Department of Justice has filed a notice of appeal in this case,” said a DOJ spokesperson.
- The 5th Circuit, which covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, is considered among the most conservative appeals courts in the country.
Background: O'Connor's ruling covered some services the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force most highly recommends for preventive care, including certain cancer screenings, statins for heart disease and medications that prevent HIV.
- Experts believe the ruling, if upheld, could gradually shift costs to privately insured people who use such services.
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