Much-Anticipated Court Decision Could Shape Obama’s Legacy, Alter Health Law’s Impact
As the clock ticks down on the time remaining in this Supreme Court session, the justices still have rulings coming in a number of high-profile cases -- including King v. Burwell.
The New York Times:
Supreme Court Ruling On Health Law Will Shape Obama’s Legacy
The night his administration’s Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, President Obama described the victory the way he hopes historians will: as a “stone firmly laid in the foundation of the American dream.” But Mr. Obama’s prospects for a legacy of expanding health care coverage in the United States for generations have never seemed as uncertain as they do today. The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of the month on a critical provision of the Affordable Care Act — insurance subsidies for millions of Americans — and even Mr. Obama’s closest allies say that a decision to invalidate the subsidies would mean years of logistical and political chaos. (Shear, 6/23)
The Fiscal Times:
5 Ways Obamacare Could Change When The Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in the next week that could have serious consequences for millions of people who have received subsidized health coverage through the president’s health care law. The high-stakes case of King v. Burwell centers on whether language in the Affordable Care Act provides health care subsidies to people who signed up for coverage on the federal exchange, HealthCare.gov. (Ehley, 6/22)
CBS News:
Is The Supreme Court About to Gut Obamacare?
The case the justices are mulling, King v. Burwell, poses a legal challenge to the tax credits offered to consumers in 34 states who bought health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) federally run exchanges. About 6 million people in those states who used the government program to buy insurance could lose their subsidies if the High Court agrees that the law's wording -- "established by the state" -- limits federal assistance only to those states running their own exchanges. For opponents to Obamacare, meanwhile, the ruling likely represents the final chance to challenge the 2010 law. (Picchi, 6/23)
CNBC:
'State' Of Obamacare Could Change For Many Very Soon
If U.S. states had a Facebook setting for Obamacare status, it would say: "It's complicated."
This month, that might change to: "It's very, very complicated."
The catalyst would be a Supreme Court ruling that could—for the second time in less than two years—cause a dramatic shift in the differences between states in their uninsured rates and in the financial burden on hospitals and other medical providers from caring for the uninsured. (Mangan, 6/22)
The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire:
The Supreme Court And The Art Of Saving The Best Opinions For Last
The Supreme Court sure knows how to put an eager audience on edge. ... As in prior years, it looks like the court is saving the best for last. Cases still outstanding include those dealing with the legality of Obama administration health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, same-sex marriage and EPA regulations on power plant emissions. ... Seven cases remain in total, and the court is scheduled to decide them no later than next week. ... Court watchers are also speculating on which justice may be writing the majority opinion in the blockbuster health-care case on the legality of insurance subsidies received by more than 6 million Americans. Three justices representing a range of ideological leanings haven’t written opinions from the session in which the health-care case was considered: Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Kendall, 6/22)
Los Angeles Times:
Important Cases Still Pending Before The Supreme Court (And The Decisions So Far)
Another much-anticipated decision will be whether the Obama administration may continue to subsidize health insurance for low- and middle-income people who buy coverage in the 36 states that failed to establish an official insurance exchange of their own and instead use a federally run version. If the court rules against the Obama administration, about 8.6 million people could lose their subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. In all, the court will hand down more than two dozen decisions on matters invovling politics, civil rights, free speech and air pollution. Several of these cases have been pending for months, suggesting the justices have been sharply split. (Savage, 6/22)
The New York Times:
Gay Marriage, Health Care Among Last 7 Supreme Court Cases
The right of same-sex couples to marry and the ability of low- and middle-income Americans to receive subsidies to help them afford insurance under the health care overhaul are the two biggest cases among the seven still to be decided by the Supreme Court. The justices will meet again Thursday to hand down more opinions and almost always finish their work by the end of June. (6/22)
Reuters:
Supreme Court To Next Issue Rulings On Thursday, Friday
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday did not issue rulings in its two most closely watched cases -- gay marriage and a challenge to President Barack Obama's healthcare law -- and the justices will next release decisions on Thursday. With the rulings due by the end of the month, the court also scheduled sessions on Friday and next Monday to issue decisions. (6/23)
