Supreme Court upholds Obamacare's tax subsidies
See the Oregonian for the full article,
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans.
The justices said in a 6-3 ruling that the subsidies that 8.7 million people currently receive to make insurance affordable do not depend on where they live, under the 2010 health care law.
Oregon stood on sidelines of Obamacare case
Oregon had less at stake than most states in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in King v. Burwell.
The suit targeted subsidies issued by the federal health insurance exchange. Oregon used the federal exchange website to enroll Oregonians in health coverage this year after state officials shelved the homegrown Cover Oregon technology project.
Still, because Oregon had passed a law, insurance tax and regulations to set up a state-based exchange, state officials argued that it should not be considered a federal exchange state. Legal briefs filed by both sides in the case agreed, considering Oregon one of 16 state-based exchanges in addition to that of Washington, D.C..
The Supreme Court majority agreed as well, writing that "At this point, 16 States and the District of Columbia have established their own Exchanges; the other 34 States have elected to have (the federal government) do so."
Oregon stood on sidelines of Obamacare caseOregon had less at stake than most states in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in King v. Burwell.
The suit targeted subsidies issued by the federal health insurance exchange. Oregon used the federal exchange website to enroll Oregonians in health coverage this year after state officials shelved the homegrown Cover Oregon technology project.
Still, because Oregon had passed a law, insurance tax and regulations to set up a state-based exchange, state officials argued that it should not be considered a federal exchange state. Legal briefs filed by both sides in the case agreed, considering Oregon one of 16 state-based exchanges in addition to that of Washington, D.C..
The Supreme Court majority agreed as well, writing that "At this point, 16 States and the District of Columbia have established their own Exchanges; the other 34 States have elected to have (the federal government) do so."
--Nick Budnick
As we breath a sigh of relief for all the people who are able to keep their insurance as a result of this ruling, let's also work to update the ACA so that we have true universal, publicly funded health care!
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