WASHINGTON DC -- Today, after a U.S. District Judge in Texas issued a ruling that employers can’t be required to cover specified preventive health care services, such as cancer screenings or HIV prevention drugs, under the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“This is a new low in the attack on affordable health care.  It shows how far-right extremists and special interests are trying to weaponize the court system to attack people’s right to affordable health coverage.

“If it is upheld by higher courts, this discriminatory decision would force millions of Americans to start paying more for vital preventative health services that are currently guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act.  It would increase costs for cancer screenings, prenatal care, mental health screenings, and more.

“Americans believe in health freedom and depend on preventive care to stay healthy.  This inhumane ruling is a gross overreach by an activist judge who is putting American lives and health at risk at the urging of a company claiming a religious objection to health care.”