Some cost-sharing required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for preventive care—including cancer screenings and PrEP, a drug used by people at high risk of getting HIV to prevent contracting the virus—is at risk after a March 30 federal district court decision.

Religious objector businesses wanting to provide health insurance to workers and exclude coverage of preventive care such as PrEP persuaded a district court that the ACA mandate to cover PrEP costs violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The plaintiffs also persuaded a court that members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were unconstitutionally appointed and that the plaintiffs didn't have to follow the task force's preventive care coverage recommendations, which includes guidance on some cancer screenings.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., called on all health care insurers to continue coverage of all preventive services without cost-sharing while the case is litigated and until final disposition of the lawsuit, Politico reported.

The court went on to state that the ACA forces the plaintiffs to choose between purchasing health insurance that violates their religious beliefs and foregoing conventional health insurance. "It is undisputed that putting individuals to this choice imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise," the court said. "Thus, plaintiffs have shown that the PrEP mandate substantially burdens their religious exercise."

"Defendants claim—and plaintiffs do not dispute—a...

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