Rep. Scott Issues Statement After Texas Federal Court Rules Employers Are Not Required to Cover Lifesaving Health Services

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement on Sept. 7, 2022:

* * *

Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after a District Court judge ruled to invalidate several provisions of the Affordable Care Act that govern which forms of preventive care--such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, cancer screenings, and other lifesaving health services--must be covered by health insurers.

"For more than a decade, the Affordable Care Act has provided millions of Americans with access to preventive care, such as cancer screenings, vaccinations, contraception, and chronic disease screenings, without having to pay anything out of pocket. Data show that these services have improved the health outcomes of Americans and reduced racial and ethnic disparities. Today's ruling could prevent many Americans from accessing the preventive care they need to lead healthier lives.

"At a time when families are facing global inflation and women's reproductive health care is under attack, we should be making health care more affordable and accessible. Congressional Democrats recently passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Inflation Reduction Act. Under this historic law, 13 million Americans will continue to save an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums, 3.3 million Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes will benefit from a guarantee that their insulin costs are capped at $35 a month, and 50 million Americans with Medicare Part D will have the peace of mind knowing their costs at the pharmacy are capped at $2,000 per year.

"To that end, I am committed to working with my colleagues to protect Americans' access to the preventive care promised under the Affordable Care Act."

* * *

Original text here: https://edlabor.house.gov/media/press-releases/scott-statement-after-texas-federal-court-rules-employers-are-not-required-to-cover-lifesaving-health-services