A Texas Judge Hits Preventive Health Care With a Gut Punch
Weakening the Affordable Care Act continues to be a conservative priority, no matter the human cost.
Staying healthy.
Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesA federal judge in Texas ruled this week that insurers no longer have to cover some preventive services that have long been included under the Affordable Care Act. It’s a frustrating decision that will likely hurt Americans’ health. At least some insurers are likely to take the opportunity to cut back on lifesaving care. About 60% of privately-insured people — that’s about 100 million Americans — receive preventive care under the ACA.
The last thing the US needs is more barriers to basic healthcare. In December, the CDC said that life expectancy in the US hit its lowest point in over two decades. And it’s not just adults dying younger — kids are too. Attacking preventive care will only worsen this long-term trend, which easily predates the Covid pandemic.