Steven K. Barnett, MD, AAHIVS, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, CAN Community Health
The Supreme Court’s decision to take up a case challenging the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) no-cost coverage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has ignited urgent conversations about public health equity. Our mission at CAN Community Health to empower wellness through compassion, community, and equity compels us to highlight why access to PrEP is vital for all Americans.
Contrary to the claims of the plaintiffs, HIV can affect anyone, not just members of the LGBTQ+ community. Women account for 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in the US, with most cases resulting from heterosexual transmission. PrEP’s efficacy in preventing HIV transcends sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status. Denying coverage based on dated stereotypes undermines decades of public health efforts that benefit everyone.
From an economic perspective, the cost of treating HIV far exceeds the cost of preventing it. The CDC reports that the lifetime cost of treating one patient living with HIV is $501,000. By contrast, the annual PrEP costs are significantly lower, as much as $22,000 yearly. A 2023 Yale School of Public Health study found that over 2,000 preventable HIV acquisitions per year could occur as a result of no longer requiring insurers to offer PrEP as a preventative care service.
The ACA’s mandate to provide preventive care extends beyond PrEP access, including lifesaving interventions like cancer screenings and prenatal care. These protections, which have been in place for 14 years, benefit millions of Americans. Weaking this framework sets a dangerous precedent, eroding the public’s trust in the healthcare system. The primary goal of Public Health is to provide cost-effective preventative care to eliminate disease and the high associated costs.
Public health policies must maintain their foundational goal of improving health outcomes across the board. Allowing employers to dictate healthcare coverage based on personal beliefs creates a slippery slope and undermines access to a wide array of preventive services. The consequences of such actions ripple outward, jeopardizing the well-being of our community.
Additionally, communities of color already face significant barriers to accessing HIV prevention and care. Removing PrEP coverage exacerbates these inequities, leaving those most vulnerable to bear the heaviest burden. Protecting PrEP access is not just about prevention—it’s about dismantling systemic barriers to health equities.
PrEP does more than prevent HIV. It creates safer communities by reducing transmission rates. Beyond its direct users, PrEP benefits the partners by halting HIV. Rolling back access to PrEP risks reversing many years of progress in HIV prevention, leading to higher rates and associated societal costs. The broader impact would harm public health outcomes, straining community health systems and undoing decades of work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The Supreme Court’s decision could have profound consequences for public health, economic stability, and social equity. As advocates for health and wellness, CAN Community Health urges 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. The stakes are too high to reverse the progress made against HIV.
About Steven K. Barnett, MD, AAHIVS
Dr. Barnett provided primary care, including management of HIV/AIDS in an under-served county of South Carolina for over 20 years before Joining CAN Community Health in 2017, where he now provides HIV specialty care along with full-scope primary care to all his patients. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut, completed his residency in Hartford, Connecticut, and is board-certified in Family Medicine. He is a certified HIV specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Barnett has advocated for underserved and underrepresented groups in healthcare and has been involved in HIV prevention and advocacy. He believes and practices to provide individualized and comprehensive care to every patient using a holistic approach.
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.
