Supreme Court Preserves Life-Saving Preventive Care for 5 Million Georgians
Historic ruling protects no-cost access to cancer screenings, HIV prevention, and mental health services.
ATLANTA – Georgians for a Healthy Future celebrates today’s landmark Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management that preserves access to no-cost preventive healthcare services for over 5 million Georgians with private insurance.
“This decision protects what works,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “Since 2010, these services have helped catch cancers early, prevented maternal deaths, and kept Georgia families healthy while saving money for everyone.”
What This Means for Georgia Families: The ruling ensures Georgians will continue receiving essential preventive services without out-of-pocket costs, including:
- Lung cancer screenings for current and former smokers
- Colorectal cancer screenings for adults under age 50
- Mental health and substance use screenings for all ages
- Medication to prevent heart disease in adults
- Using low-cost, effective medication to treat pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia
Georgia’s Unique Stakes: The decision is particularly significant for Georgia’s vulnerable communities. Communities of color, who face higher rates of preventable diseases, maintain access to early intervention services that catch conditions before they become costly and life-threatening. With Georgia ranking 38th nationally in overall health outcomes, preserving access to preventive care is crucial for improving population health.