TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case challenging the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) no-cost coverage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has sparked urgent discussions about health equity and public safety. CAN Community Health, whose mission is to empower wellness through compassion, community, and equity, underscores the vital importance of preserving PrEP access for all Americans.
Contrary to the plaintiffs’ claims, HIV affects individuals across all demographics. Women account for one in five new HIV diagnoses in the U.S., with the majority resulting from heterosexual transmission. PrEP’s proven efficacy in preventing HIV transcends sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status. Denying coverage based on outdated stereotypes undermines decades of public health progress that benefit everyone.
The Economic Case for Prevention
The financial implications of limiting PrEP access are staggering. According to the CDC, the lifetime cost of treating one individual living with HIV is $501,000. In contrast, annual PrEP costs are significantly lower, averaging up to $22,000 per year. A 2023 Yale School of Public Health study found that over 2,000 preventable HIV cases annually could result from eliminating insurers’ obligation to cover PrEP as a preventive care service.
Broad Implications for Preventive Care
The ACA’s preventive care mandate has been in place for 14 years, protecting access to essential services such as cancer screenings and prenatal care. Weakening this framework sets a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the healthcare system and jeopardizing cost-effective, lifesaving interventions. The foundation of public health is to improve outcomes and reduce disease-associated costs—values that should not be compromised.
Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Communities of color, which already face significant barriers to healthcare access, would disproportionately bear the burden of eliminating PrEP coverage. Protecting PrEP access is not just about prevention; it is about dismantling systemic barriers to health equity and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
PrEP’s Role in Public Health
Beyond preventing HIV, PrEP fosters safer communities by reducing transmission rates and protecting partners. Rolling back PrEP access risks reversing years of progress in HIV prevention, increasing infection rates, and placing additional strain on community health systems. The broader impact would harm public health outcomes, undoing decades of work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Call to Action
The Supreme Court’s decision will have profound consequences for public health, economic stability, and social equity. CAN Community Health calls on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community members to stand united in defending the ACA’s preventive care mandate.
“Preventive care saves lives, reduces long-term costs, and fosters healthier communities,” said Rishi Patel, PharmD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer at CAN Community Health. “The stakes are too high to reverse the progress we’ve made in fighting HIV.”
About CAN Community Health
CAN Community Health is the nation’s premier resource in ending epidemics with a mission of empowering wellness through compassion, community, and equity. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, CAN Community Health operates 40 clinics across Arizona, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. CAN Community Health was founded in Sarasota, Florida, and has delivered high-quality care to those affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases for more than 30 years through outreach, integrated clinical practice, advocacy, education, and research. For more information about CAN Community Health and its services, please visit www.CANCommunityHealth.org.
