LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 7

New Bill to Protect Free Preventive Care (SB 262) Introduced

Last week, Senator Halpern introduced Senate Bill 262 with the support of six Republican co-sponsors! This bill is crucial to ensure that Georgians can continue accessing life-saving preventive health services without facing financial barriers.

Why This Matters

Since 2010, most health plans have been required to cover critical preventive services— such as cancer screenings, routine wellness visits, and mental health screenings—at no cost to patients. However, this vital benefit is under serious threat.

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in Kennedy v. Braidwood, a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the free preventive services requirement. Nearly 5 million Georgians could lose guaranteed access to no-cost preventive care if the Court strikes down these protections.