For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Christina Adeleke, cadeleke@aidsunited.org; communications@aidsunited.org
Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025 – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in the Kennedy v. Braidwood (formerly known as Braidwood v. Becerra) case – finding that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is a constitutionally appointed body. This ruling means that many preventive services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), will remain available without cost-sharing.
“The Courts’ decision signals to the nation that preventive services save lives,” said AIDS United’s CEO-elect, Carl Baloney Jr., “Services like mental health screenings, cancer screenings, STI testing, and PrEP remain covered without cost-sharing through this ruling and, as a result, will undoubtedly reduce health disparities and ensure people receive the care they need.”
This is a significant victory for public health and the millions of Americans who rely on preventive care without financial barriers. We applaud this outcome and express our gratitude to all stakeholders and advocates who raised the visibility of a case that evolved from an attack on LGBTQ+ healthcare into a threat to preventive coverage for over 150 million Americans.
However, the Supreme Court reiterated that in upholding the constitutionality of the appointments of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Secretary of Health and Human Services retains its right to appoint and remove Task Force members. And beyond that right to appoint and remove members of the Task Force, the Secretary has the authority to “directly review and block Task Force recommendations before they take effect.” In ordinary times, we would view this as appropriate authority for the Secretary to have in order to ensure the body’s objectivity, neutrality, and professionalism. But, sadly, with the recent dismantling of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in which longtime scientific advisors were replaced with those close to Secretary Kennedy who often promote widely discredited views on vaccinations, there is reason for concern.
Additionally, we cannot ignore the context in which this case was decided. Right now, the U.S. Senate continues to negotiate its massive proposal to gut Medicaid, the ACA, and food assistance – among many other safety net programs on which the nation relies. The House has already passed their proposal. Health and Human Services has been slow-walking or canceling grant funding, the Trump administration has proposed eliminating HIV prevention programming, and PEPFAR has been decimated. While today’s ruling is a reason for celebration – maintaining no-cost access for the over 150 million who have private insurance is critically important – the grave threats to those in our communities who rely on other types of insurance and to the broader safety net that includes rural hospitals keeping their doors open – remain.
Nevertheless, our work must continue to ensure that scientific rigor remains and that our communities retain our ability to access preventive services, including PrEP, free of cost-sharing. Prevention and early detection of diseases saves lives, improves health outcomes, and reduces long-term healthcare costs. We must continue to move forward in our mission to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and globally, despite the political barriers that work against us.
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About AIDS United – AIDS United’s mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. through strategic grant-making, capacity-building, and policy/advocacy. AIDS United works to ensure access to life-saving HIV care and prevention services and to advance sound HIV-related policy for populations and communities most impacted by the U.S. epidemic. As of January 2021, our strategic grant-making initiatives have directly funded more than $118 million to local communities, and we have leveraged more than $184 million in additional investments for programs that include, but are not limited to, syringe access, access to care, capacity-building, HIV prevention, and advocacy. Learn more at www.aidsunited.org.
