As legal experts predicted, the Biden administration has filed to appeal a judge's ruling that would block its ability to enforce preventive care mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Attorneys for the Department of Health and Human Services filed the notice of appeal Friday, just two days after the anticipated ruling was handed down. Analysts predict that the Supreme Court will have to weigh in yet again on the future of the ACA.

The ruling applies to preventive care recommendations issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force since the ACA was put in place in March and includes coverage for preexposure prophylaxis, certain cancers and behavioral health concerns like anxiety.

Judge Reed O'Connor is the same judge who issued a ruling in 2018 that would have struck down the entirety of the landmark healthcare law.

Patient advocacy groups decried the ruling, warning that coverage losses could lead many patients to skip out on crucial preventive care. Insurers, meanwhile, said they will keep no-cost options in place.