Gov. Whitmer fears impact of ruling that free ACA screenings are unconstitutional

(Detroit Free Press) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directed the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services on Monday to move immediately to protect Michiganders from the potential loss of health insurance coverage for preventive services, including colon and lung cancer screenings, and for preventive drugs for breast cancer, heart disease and HIV.

Whitmer's action comes after a federal judge in Texas struck down a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance companies to fully cover certain preventive health services, a ruling that could have major ripple effects in Michigan and across the country.

U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas ruled last week in Braidwood Management v. Becerra that the ACA's requirement that private health insurance companies cover services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force at no cost to patients is unconstitutional. He said the task force members are volunteers who are not appointed by the president or confirmed by the Senate as required. .............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2023/04/03/aca-becerra-ruling-free-services-unconstitutional-whitmer/70076263007/