WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2025) — Silver State Equality released the following statement from State Director André C. Wade in response to the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in the case of Braidwood v. Kennedy, which challenged the Affordable Care Act’s requirement for insurance companies to cover most preventive healthcare at no out-of-pocket cost:
Today’s ruling allows millions of Americans to breathe easier knowing that this no-cost coverage will remain in place. An adverse ruling would have affected millions of Americans, increased inequitable health disparities, and disproportionately affected Black, Brown, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. This case — brought by an anti-LGBTQ+ employer in Texas who objected to covering PrEP, a revolutionary medication that prevents 99% of people from contracting HIV — was rooted in discriminatory beliefs targeting LGBTQ+ people under the guise of a ‘religious objection.’ This challenge was never just about one medication. It was an attempt to weaponize religion to justify discrimination and roll back access to lifesaving preventive care, particularly for LGBTQ+ people and including HIV prevention medication, contraception, cancer screenings, and more. Today’s decision is a critical step toward protecting health equity and rejecting bigotry disguised as principle.
Today’s ruling allows millions of Americans to breathe easier knowing that this no-cost coverage will remain in place. An adverse ruling would have affected millions of Americans, increased inequitable health disparities, and disproportionately affected Black, Brown, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities.
This case — brought by an anti-LGBTQ+ employer in Texas who objected to covering PrEP, a revolutionary medication that prevents 99% of people from contracting HIV — was rooted in discriminatory beliefs targeting LGBTQ+ people under the guise of a ‘religious objection.’ This challenge was never just about one medication. It was an attempt to weaponize religion to justify discrimination and roll back access to lifesaving preventive care, particularly for LGBTQ+ people and including HIV prevention medication, contraception, cancer screenings, and more.
Today’s decision is a critical step toward protecting health equity and rejecting bigotry disguised as principle.
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
