Arthritis Foundation Welcomes SCOTUS Decision on Preventive Care
Ruling in Kennedy vs. Braidwood protects preventive care services at no cost to patients.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 4, 2025) – The Arthritis Foundation applauds a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that protects access to lifesaving preventive care at no cost to patients.
Kennedy v. Braidwood challenged a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring insurers to cover certain preventive care measures free to patients. Such services include screenings for osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and mental health, as well as fall prevention for older adults and counseling on healthy living.
The Arthritis Foundation and other patient and provider organizations are committed to ensuring that access to these preventive services remains protected, accessible and affordable. We jointly filed several amicus briefs throughout the legal process to provide information to the court on how a decision would affect patients.
In February, the Arthritis Foundation joined more than 30 other organizations, representing millions of people with serious health conditions and thousands of medical professionals, in filing an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the provision, as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The brief provides extensive scientific data demonstrating that preventive services save lives and are cost-effective.
Research has proven that any cost sharing can be a deterrent to accessing critical prevention and early detection and, ultimately, puts lives at risk. According to a recent American Cancer Society study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, millions of privately insured people would have lost access to breast, colorectal and lung cancer screenings without cost sharing if the preventive services provision of the ACA had been declared unconstitutional.
As written in the brief:
“All Americans use or will use health care services, and the lifetime risk that an individual American will contract a serious or chronic disease or condition is high. Preventive services aid in prevention, early detection and treatment of many conditions, increasing patients’ chances of recovery and extending life expectancies. Preventive care also helps control costs of treating these conditions.”
While the decision ultimately protects access to these preventive care services at no cost to patients, it also raised some questions about how members of the USPSTF, which makes preventive care recommendations, are selected.
The Arthritis Foundation will continue to be vigilant and fight for access to affordable care for all people living with arthritis. Follow Arthritis Foundation advocacy, and join our army of volunteer Advocates.
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About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation’s mission is to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.
Kennedy v. Braidwood challenged a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring insurers to cover certain preventive care measures free to patients. Such services include screenings for osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and mental health, as well as fall prevention for older adults and counseling on healthy living.
The Arthritis Foundation and other patient and provider organizations are committed to ensuring that access to these preventive services remains protected, accessible and affordable. We jointly filed several amicus briefs throughout the legal process to provide information to the court on how a decision would affect patients.
In February, the Arthritis Foundation joined more than 30 other organizations, representing millions of people with serious health conditions and thousands of medical professionals, in filing an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the provision, as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The brief provides extensive scientific data demonstrating that preventive services save lives and are cost-effective.
Research has proven that any cost sharing can be a deterrent to accessing critical prevention and early detection and, ultimately, puts lives at risk. According to a recent American Cancer Society study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, millions of privately insured people would have lost access to breast, colorectal and lung cancer screenings without cost sharing if the preventive services provision of the ACA had been declared unconstitutional.
As written in the brief:
“All Americans use or will use health care services, and the lifetime risk that an individual American will contract a serious or chronic disease or condition is high. Preventive services aid in prevention, early detection and treatment of many conditions, increasing patients’ chances of recovery and extending life expectancies. Preventive care also helps control costs of treating these conditions.”
While the decision ultimately protects access to these preventive care services at no cost to patients, it also raised some questions about how members of the USPSTF, which makes preventive care recommendations, are selected.
The Arthritis Foundation will continue to be vigilant and fight for access to affordable care for all people living with arthritis. Follow Arthritis Foundation advocacy, and join our army of volunteer Advocates.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation’s mission is to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.
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