Patient Groups Applaud Circuit Court Ruling That Largely Stays Remedy in Braidwood Management v. Becerra 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit approved an agreement by the parties on a stay of the remedy in the case of Braidwood v. Becerra. The appeals court’s approval pauses the effect of the lower court’s ruling that threatens access to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-recommended preventive services without cost-sharing, as required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The agreement provides that the government will not take any action to enforce the ACA provision against the plaintiffs while the litigation proceeds. 

In April, patient groups representing millions of people with serious health conditions, including the Arthritis Foundation, submitted an amicus brief supporting the Department of Justice (DOJ) motion asking the Fifth Circuit to issue a stay on the remedy, ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor, for the duration of judicial proceedings. The brief included scientific data on how preventive care saves lives and is cost-effective, as well as the negative impact that compromising the federal law’s guarantee of no-cost preventive care and screenings would have on health outcomes. 

The Arthritis Foundation joined other groups — including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Kidney Fund, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the AIDS Institute — in issuing the following statement in reaction to today’s ruling: 

“We applaud this stay that essentially maintains continued access to cost-free preventive services coverage while this case is deliberated and are relieved to see such access remain protected in the interim. 

“Today’s decision ensures that until the case is final, critical coverage for lifesaving prevention and early detection services continue for the more than 150 million eligible individuals who currently have access. 

“We know coverage of recommended preventive services without cost-sharing saves lives from cancer, kidney disease, AIDS and other leading diseases in our nation. In fact, even relatively small levels of cost-sharing in the range of $1 to $5 are associated with reduced use of care, including for necessary services.  

“On behalf of the millions of people we serve, we will continue to advocate for the Fifth Circuit to overturn the lower court’s decision on the merits so that access to no-cost preventive services, as required under the ACA, continues uninterrupted in the long-term future.” 

The full list of groups that joined the amicus are as follows: the AIDS Institute, the American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Kidney Fund, the Arthritis Foundation, CancerCare, the Cancer Support Community, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation, the Hemophilia Federation of America, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Minority Quality Forum, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Patient Advocate Foundation and WomenHeart. 
 
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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.