Get information about the Affordable Care Act or enroll in a plan on the official ACA website here.

Get additional information about the Affordable Care Act here.

Get detailed information about the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on the "Health and Wellness Resource" website here.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was designed so that all plans purchased in the Marketplace (ACA exchanges) cover a base set of essential health benefits (EHB) which consist of the following:

• Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
• Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
• Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren't essential health benefits)
• Birth control coverage
• Breastfeeding coverage

Source:

"What Marketplace health insurance plans cover". healthcare.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-24.

Jan 10, 2024:

https://thehill.com/homenews/4400342-obamacare-enrollment-breaks-record-for-third-consecutive-year

Jun 13, 2023:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4047121-obamacare-preventive-care-provision-temporarily-restored

Apr 13, 2023:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3948650-top-democrats-ask-health-insurers-for-response-to-obamacare-preventive-care-ruling

Mar 30, 2023:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/texas-judge-blocks-obamacare-coverage-mandate-prep-cancer-screening-2023-03-30
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3925846-texas-judge-strikes-down-obamacares-free-preventive-services-requirement

Jan 25, 2023:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3830023-a-record-of-over-16-million-people-signed-up-for-insurance-through-obamacare

Oct 11, 2022:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3683458-new-rule-opens-obamacare-subsidies-to-more-families-seeking-coverage

Sep 7, 2022:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3632632-federal-judge-rules-against-obamacare-coverage-of-hiv-prevention-drugs

Jun 14, 2022:

https://www.businessinsider.com/moderate-house-dems-pressure-pelosi-schumer-avoid-obamacare-hikes-2022-6#

Jan 27, 2022:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/591748-health-care

Dec 22, 2021:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/586930-obamacare-open-enrollment-hits-record-numbers

Jun 17, 2021:

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/558916-supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-in-7-2-ruling

May 6, 2021:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/552109-special-enrollment-sees-almost-940000-americans-sign-up-for-affordable-care

Jul 8, 2020:

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/506366-supreme-court-upholds-trumps-expansion-of-obamacare-birth-control

Jun 29, 2020:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/505087-house-fires-back-trump-passing-obamacare-expansion

Dec 18, 2019:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/475186-appeals-court-strikes-obamacare-mandate-sends-case-back-to-lower-court

Dec 10, 2019:

https://www.vox.com/2019/12/10/21004821/obamacare-supreme-court-risk-corridors-maine-community

Oct 30, 2019:

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/468124-senate-blocks-effort-to-roll-back-trumps-obamacare-rule

Mar 25, 2019:

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/435759-justice-department-sides-with-court-ruling-obamacare-invalid

Jan 3, 2019:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/423693-dem-states-take-first-step-in-appealing-obamacare-ruling

Dec 17, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/421646-trump-supreme-court-striking-down-obamacare-will-lead-to-great-health-care
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/421702-incoming-dem-chairman-vows-hearings-on-obamacare-lawsuit-right-away
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/421800-dem-ags-begin-process-of-appealing-court-ruling-that-struck-down-obamacare

Dec 15, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/421541-five-takeaways-from-the-court-decision-striking-down-obamacare
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/14/18141670/obamacare-unconstitutional-texas-judge-strikes-down-reed-o-connor
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/421546-trump-celebrates-judges-decision-tossing-core-tenets-of-obamacare

Dec 14, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/421511-federal-judge-in-texas-strikes-down-obamacare

Oct 26, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/413425-federal-judge-urges-health-insurers-to-withdraw-injunction-request-against

Oct 18, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/412026-mcconnell-defends-trump-backed-lawsuit-against-obamacare

Oct 17, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/411864-dems-attack-republicans-on-latest-challenge-to-aca

Oct 10, 2018:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/410775-senate-defeats-measure-to-overturn-trump-expansion-of-non-obamacare-plans

Aug 2, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/overnights/400164-overnight-health-care-four-cities-sue-trump-saying-obamacare
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/400102-senate-dems-to-force-a-vote-to-overturn-rules-on-non-obamacare-insurance

Jul 24, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/398713-trump-admin-restarts-key-obamacare-payments

Jul 9, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/396181-insurers-scramble-after-trump-suspends-billions-in-obamacare-payments

Jun 20, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/393255-new-york-massachusetts-will-sue-over-trump-health-plans-that-skirt

Jun 13 2018:

http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/392070-new-jerseys-disastrous-decision-to-resurrect-obamacares-individual-mandate

Jun 2 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/390346-states-defy-trump-on-obamacare

Apr 25, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/384843-anthem-sees-profits-boost-after-scaling-back-participation-in-obamacare

Apr 9, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/382364-trump-officials-create-new-exemptions-to-obamacare-mandate

Apr 3, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/381338-iowa-law-seen-as-breakthrough-for-obamacare-foes

Mar 8, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/377504-trump-administration-blocks-gop-governor-from-skirting-obamacare

Mar 2, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/376468-meadows-calls-for-immediate-mandate-repeal

Feb 26, 2018:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare/twenty-states-sue-federal-government-seeking-end-to-obamacare-idUSKCN1GB06R

Feb 23, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/375265-trump-obamacare-being-wiped-out-piece-by-piece
http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/375280-short-term-insurance-plans-are-another-assault-on-obamacare

Feb 20, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/374599-trump-officials-move-to-expand-non-obamacare-insurance-plans

Jan 29, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/371229-pro-obamacare-group-launches-new-ads-ahead-of-state-of-the-union-gop

Jan 22, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/370152-collins-optimistic-obamacare-fixes-will-pass

Jan 15, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/369081-number-of-uninsured-americans-increased-by-over-3-million-in-trumps-first

Jan 10, 2018:

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/10/trump-obamacare-secret-plan-278145

Dec 30, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/366828-five-ways-trump-can-undermine-obamacare-in-2018

Dec 28, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/366686-final-obamacare-sign-ups-tick-down-slightly-due-to-cancellations

Dec 21, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/366047-nearly-as-many-people-sign-up-for-obamacare-in-half-the-time-as-2016
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366065-graham-gop-leadership-sadly-mistaken-to-think-that-there-wont-be-obamacare

Dec 20, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/365185-final-gop-tax-bill-repeals-obamacare-mandate
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/tax-bill-kills-health-insurance-mandate-who-will-pay-more-n829846

Nov 15, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/360465-nearly-15-million-sign-up-for-obamacare-in-first-11-days

Nov 9, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/359594-about-600000-sign-up-for-obamacare-in-first-four-days

Oct 23, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/356750-second-republican-state-withdraws-obamacare-waiver-aimed-at-helping
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/356624-juan-williams-trumps-cynical-sabotage-of-obamacare

Oct 16, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/355658-trump-there-is-no-such-thing-as-obamacare-anymore
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-obamacare-dead_us_59e4de47e4b0a52aca19aefb
http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/10/16/trump-no-such-thing-as-obamacare-anymore-sot-ip.cnn

Oct 13, 2017:

https://www.salon.com/2017/10/13/trumps-latest-attack-on-obamacare-violates-oath-to-uphold-constitution_partner/

Oct 12, 2017:

Trump issued an executive order entitled "Presidential Executive Order Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States". Here are point-by-point excerpts of the order:

Section 1. Policy. (a) It shall be the policy of the executive branch, to the extent consistent with law, to facilitate the purchase of insurance across State lines and the development and operation of a healthcare system that provides high-quality care at affordable prices for the American people.

Sec. 2. Expanded Access to Association Health Plans. Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall consider proposing regulations or revising guidance, consistent with law, to expand access to health coverage by allowing more employers to form AHPs.

Sec. 3. Expanded Availability of Short-Term, Limited‑Duration Insurance. Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services shall consider proposing regulations or revising guidance, consistent with law, to expand the availability of STLDI.

Sec. 4. Expanded Availability and Permitted Use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements. Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services shall consider proposing regulations or revising guidance, to the extent permitted by law and supported by sound policy, to increase the usability of HRAs, to expand employers' ability to offer HRAs to their employees, and to allow HRAs to be used in conjunction with nongroup coverage.

Sec. 6. Reports. Within 180 days of the date of this order, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor and the Federal Trade Commission, shall provide a report to the President...

Sec. 7. General Provisions.

Remarks by President Trump at Signing of Executive Order Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition | whitehouse.gov

Remarks by the Vice President at Signing of Executive Order to Promote Healthcare Choice and Competition | whitehouse.gov

How Trump's executive order affects health care plans and prices | PBS Newshour

Trump eases ObamaCare rules with executive order | The Hill

Trump also announced he is ending Obamacare's cost-sharing reduction payments. Those payments are paid to insurance companies so they can offer lower out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-pays to millions of lower-income people who have health insurance under Obamacare.

Trump Administration To End Obamacare Subsidies For The Poor | NPR

Donald Trump's Terrible Executive Order on Health Care | The New Yorker

18 states sue over Trump-halted ObamaCare payments | The Hill

Trump to Scrap Critical Health Care Subsidies, Hitting Obamacare Again | The New York Times

Thwarted on GOP Bill, Trump Opts to Tank the US Health Care System | Mother Jones

The New York Times published a list of eleven things Trump has done to weaken and undermine Obamacare:

• Opened the door for sales of less expensive plans with fewer benefits and fewer protections for consumers. Signed executive order on Oct. 12.
• Decided not to send health department officials to local open enrollment events in states. First reported on Sept. 27.
• Decided to shut down the Affordable Care Act website for 12 hours nearly every Sunday during open enrollment. First reported in September.
• Said it would cut by 40 percent funding to groups that help people enroll. Announced on Aug. 31.
• Said it would slash spending on advertising and promotion for enrollment to $10 million from $100 million. Announced on Aug. 31.
• Made videos criticizing the health law and posted them on YouTube. In June and July.
• Posted infographics criticizing the health law on Twitter. Mostly in late June and mid-July.
• Made tax credits for premiums less generous. Finalized in April.
• Used news releases to spread negative information about the law. As early as February.
• Weakened enforcement of the individual mandate. Reported in February.
• Removed useful guidance for consumers about the law from its website. As early as Jan. 20.

Source:

Park, Haeyoun. (October 12, 2017). "We're Tracking the Ways Trump Is Scaling Back Obamacare. Here Are 11.". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-10-12.

Oct 9, 2017:

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-obamacare-health-care-repeal-replace-2017-10

Sep 27, 2017:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/obamacare-repeal-failed-some-damage-already-done-n804956
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/health-reform-implementation/352689-senate-dems-demand-investigation-into

Sep 14, 2017:

CBO: ObamaCare uncertainty will lead to 15 percent hike in premiums | The Hill

Sep 11, 2017:

Dems accuse Trump of ObamaCare enrollment sabotage | The Hill

Sep 6, 2017:

Optima's exit may leave many Virginia counties with no ObamaCare insurer | The Hill

Jun 13, 2017:

ObamaCare insurer expands to three new states | The Hill

Apr 13, 2017:

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule which contains important changes to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) effective in 2018. The proposed rules were announced on February 15.

President Donald Trump | The First 100 Days | Health and Wellness Resource

Mar 26, 2017:

At a town hall meeting, Senator Bernie Sanders said he is planning to introduce a single-payer health care bill in the Senate. At the same town hall, Representative Peter Welch (Democrat-Vermont) said he would introduce the same bill in the House. Welch acknowledged that the bill won't pass but he said it's a "goal" that should be kept out there. Welch also said he will be reaching out to his Republican colleagues with specific ideas regarding fixes for Obamacare.

Sanders says he will introduce 'Medicare for all' bill | The Hill

Mar 25, 2017:

Hillary Clinton Had A Good Plan To Fix Obamacare | The Huffington Post

Platform Check: Trump And Clinton On Health Care | NPR

Mar 24, 2017:

House Speaker Paul Ryan met with Trump to tell him there weren't enough "yes" votes to pass the House AHCA bill. Trump told Ryan to bypass the vote, so no vote was taken.

House Republicans pull health care bill | CNN

Mar 15, 2017:

The Trump administration announced that 12.2 million people signed up for Obamacare for 2017.

12.2 million people signed up for Obamacare for 2017 amid GOP repeal efforts | CNN

Feb 14, 2017

Humana announced it will exit the ObamaCare exchanges at the end of this year.

Humana exit highlights uncertainty about ObamaCare replacement plan | The Hill

Oct 24, 2016

The Obama administration announced that for 2017, the average cost of healthcare for the benchmark "silver" plan under the ACA will increase by 22% for plans in state-run exchanges, and by 25% for plans in the federal exchange.

Federal ACA subsidies will also increase to help offset the higher premiums. Currently, about 85% of the consumers enrolled in the ACA receive subsidies.

In some states, actual costs to the consumer will be higher than the average, while in others actual costs will be lower.

Rates Up 22 Percent For Obamacare Plans, But Subsidies Rise, Too | NPR

Obamacare premiums to soar 22% | CNN

Obama administration confirms double-digit premium hikes | Fox News

Aug 16, 2016

Citing financial losses, Aetna, one of the largest healthcare providers in the U.S., announced it will stop providing services under ACA health exchanges in 11 of 15 states (about 70% of its plans) in 2017.

Why Is Aetna Leaving Most of Its Obamacare Exchanges? | The Atlantic

Aetna CEO Has 'Serious Concerns' About Obamacare Sustainability | Bloomberg News

Covered by Aetna? What to Do Now That It Bailed Out of Obamacare | NBC News

Aetna Has Revealed Obamacare's Many Broken Promises | Time

Here's More Bad News for Obamacare | Fortune

According to a letter obtained by The Huffington Post dated July 5, 2016, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini threatened to reduce services in the ACA exchanges if the U.S. Department of Justice did not allow the proposed merger of Aetna with Humana.

Aetna CEO Threatened Obamacare Pullout If Feds Opposed Humana Merger | The Huffington Post

Aetna CEO To Justice Department: Block Our Deal And We'll Drop Out Of Obamacare | NPR

Jul 21, 2016

Citing a year of nearly $1 billion in losses, Humana announced it will be substantially decreasing its presence in the health insurance exchanges, reducing its participation from the current 19 states to no more than 11 states in 2017.

Humana to leave key ObamaCare markets | The Hill

Jun 22, 2016

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan unveiled a Republican alternative to Obamacare as part of his overall "A Better Way" policy agenda.

House Speaker Ryan unveils Republican alternative to Obamacare | Reuters

May 12, 2016

Federal Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled in favor of the U.S. House of Representatives in it's lawsuit against the Obama administration regarding the "cost sharing reduction payments" part of Obamacare.

"Cost sharing reduction payments" are payments made by Obamacare to insurance companies so the companies can charge lower rates to lower-income customers so the insurance is affordable.

Today's court ruling says that since the money for those payments has not been appropriated by Congress, the Obama administration does not have the power to spend that money. The Obama administration argues that no appropriation is needed because those payments are already guaranteed by Obamacare in the same section of the law (Section 1402)) that defines tax credits.

Today's ruling does not go into effect immediately, allowing the Obama administration time to appeal it.

Judge rules for House GOP in ObamaCare suit | The Hill

Federal judge strikes down Obamacare payments | USA Today

Apr 19, 2016

UnitedHealthcare, currently operating in health care exchanges in 34 states, announced it plans to reduce it's operations to just a "handful" of states next year. UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurer in the U.S.

Why United Healthcare's Exit From Obamacare Matters | Time

UnitedHealthcare to exit most Obamacare exchanges | CNN

Feb 2, 2016

By a vote of 241 to 186 the U.S. House of Representatives failed to override President Obama's veto of legislation to repeal a good portion of the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said that sometime this year Republicans will present a replacement for Obamacare.

House fails to override ObamaCare veto | The Hill

Jan 8, 2016

President Obama vetoed legislation sent to him by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 6. Even though Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has said he will have the House vote in an attempt to override the veto, at present there are not enough votes to make that happen. A two-thirds vote of approval is needed in both the House and the Senate to override a presidential veto.

Obama vetoes health bill repeal | The Hill

GOP heads into 2016 fight with no clear ObamaCare plan | The Hill

Jan 6, 2016

By a vote of 240 to 181, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal a good portion of the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood. Only one Democrat voted for the legislation and only three Republicans voted against it. The legislation now goes to President Obama who has already stated his intention to veto.

House passes ObamaCare repeal, sending measure to president | The Hill

Jan 5, 2016

Aetna announced it will not renew its membership with America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

Aetna departure a major blow for insurers group | The Hill

Dec 20, 2015

On NBC's Meet the Press, host Chuck Todd interviewed Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. In the interview, speaking about Obamacare Ryan said the following:

It's a law that is not working. It's a law that's depriving people's choices. It's a law that's making families pay double digit premium increases. It's a law that's leading Medicare into a rationing scheme. That's not going to work for seniors.

According to a PolitiFact article entitled "Paul Ryan's shaky claim that Obamacare is 'making families pay double-digit premium increases'", Ryan's claim of "double digit premium increases" is only "half true". While it is true that some families have seen double-digit increases, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the national average increase is 7.5 percent for the 37 states using healthcare.gov. When you factor in premium tax credits and enrollment figures the national average is considerably less than 7.5 percent.

According to PolitiFact, Ryan's statement that "It's a law that's making families pay double digit premium increases." is misleading because according to experts rate increases are more likely the result of insurers underestimating how sick enrollees would be, rather than something inherently wrong with Obamacare itself.

Dec 3, 2015

By a vote of 52-47, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to repeal the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood. The legislation now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation was able to pass with a simple majority (instead of the usual 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster) because it is classified as a budget reconciliation measure, which is not subject to a filibuster.

Bill to Repeal Health Law Passes Senate | The New York Times

Senate approves bill repealing much of ObamaCare | The Hill

Nov 24, 2015

According to data released October 1, 2015, ACA insurers lost money on ACA insurance plans for the year 2014.

The loss is directly related to a shortfall in what's know as the "risk corridors" program/feature of the ACA. Risk corridors is a temporary 3-year program put in place to help accommodate the anticipated high rate of insurance claims as people initially signup for the ACA. Under risk corridors, insurers with less claims help subsidize insurers with more claims. In other words, profitable insurers help cover the costs of unprofitable insurers. The data for 2014 shows that unprofitable insurers requested considerably more reimbursement money than the subsidies provided by profitable insurers, in the amount of about $2.5 billion.

Because of a policy rider included in the 2014 year-end 1,603-page "Cromnibus" U.S. spending bill, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can no longer get money from other places to help makeup the shortfall in the risk corridors program.

Source:

Blase, Brian. (October 12, 2015). "New Data Shows Large Insurer Losses On Obamacare Plans". Forbes. Retrieved 2015-11-24.

Ferris, Sarah. (November 24, 2015). "Rubio budget win is dealing heavy blow to ObamaCare". The Hill. Retrieved 2015-11-24.

Nov 19, 2015

UnitedHealth Group, the nations largest healthcare insurer, said it would be scaling back efforts to sell insurance on the ACA exchanges and may withdraw from the exchanges all together in 2017.

UnitedHealth Group says it is scaling back efforts in ACA exchanges | The Washington Post

Sep 9, 2015

In Washington, D.C., federal Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled that the lawsuit brought against Obamacare by the U.S. House of Representatives is legitimate and the case can move forward.

The lawsuit challenges Obamacare's use of subsidies to help low-income people afford insurance coverage. Essentially, the lawsuit claims the funds used for federal subsidies paid to health insurance companies were not officially approved by Congress.

This lawsuit is the third major legal challenge of the Affordable Care Act.

The Obama administration said it will appeal Judge Rosemary Collyer's decision.

GOP scores early win in ObamaCare lawsuit | The Hill

Federal judge lets House Republicans' lawsuit against Obamacare advance | USA Today

House Republicans' misguided Obamacare lawsuit | The Washington Post

Jun 25, 2015

By a vote of 6-3, in the case of King v. Burwell the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Obamacare, saying that subsidies apply to all states, not just those with state exchanges. Judges Sotomayor, Kagan, Ginsburg, Breyer, Kennedy, and Roberts voted in favor, and judges Scalia, Alito, and Thomas ruled against. Read the ruling here.

Supreme Court saves Obamacare | CNN

Supreme Court Allows Nationwide Health Care Subsidies | The New York Times

Republicans noisily outraged — and quietly relieved — over court decision | The Washington Post

Jun 23, 2015

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. announced it is ending its membership (effective June 30) with the health insurer industry's biggest trade group, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), stating that AHIP no longer represents the best interests of the company or its customers.

UnitedHealth leaves insurance industry lobbying group AHIP | Reuters

Mar 6, 2015

After hearing oral arguments on Wednesday, the nine Supreme Court justices met today in private to discuss the case of King v. Burwell.

Here's What Scalia Said About Obamacare Last Week. It's Not What He Said 3 Years Ago. | The Huffington Post

Some Supreme Court Justices Cite 2012 Argument Against Health Care Law as Defense for It Now | The New York Times

Another Moment Of Truth For Obamacare--And For The Supreme Court | The Huffington Post

Mar 3, 2015

On NPR's "The Diane Rehm Show", guests discuss "King v. Burwell And The Future Of Obamacare".

Diane's guests were:

• Gail Wilensky, economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE, former administrator of Medicare and Medicaid, and health policy adviser in the George H.W. Bush administration
• Amanda Frost, professor of law at American University Washington College of Law
• Louise Radnofsky, health policy reporter, The Wall Street Journal
• Ron Pollack, executive director, Families USA

4 Reasons Both Parties Should Be Sweating Bullets Over King V. Burwell | NPR

Huge Stakes As Supreme Court Takes Third Crack At Obamacare | The Huffington Post

Feb 25, 2015

On March 4 (next week), the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of King v. Burwell which challenges the wording and intent of one reference in the ACA. That reference, used many times in the text of the ACA law, is "through an Exchange established by the state". The specific references being challenged are those that relate to tax-credit subsidies which help make insurance acquired through exchanges affordable for the consumer.

At present, 17 of the 50 U.S. states have their own state (state-run) exchanges. The other 33 states have either a federal exchange or plan to have a partnership exchange. The Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell will affect only those states without state exchanges.

Plaintiffs say that because the wording of the law reads "established by the state", those references do not apply to the other 33 states, and therefore consumers signing up through exchanges in those states are not eligible for subsidies.

Defendants (the Obama administration) say the references are intended to apply to all states, and that other parts of the law make it clear that subsidies are intended for consumers in all states.

If the Supreme Court decides for the plaintiffs, millions of consumers might lose their subsidies, making it more expensive for them to purchase healthcare through exchanges.

The New York Times has a concise, informative FAQ about this case entitled Obamacare, Back at the Supreme Court: Frequently Asked Questions.

Source:

Sanger-Katz, Margot. (February 3, 2015). "Obamacare, Back at the Supreme Court: Frequently Asked Questions". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-02-25.

"State Health Insurance Exchange: State Run Exchanges". Obamacare Facts. Retrieved 2015-02-25.

"H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act". congress.gov. Retrieved 2015-02-25.

Jun 30, 2014

By a vote of 5-4, in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain for-profit closely-held businesses (where 50% of the company stock is held by five or fewer people) in which the owners have clear religious beliefs, the businesses cannot be required to pay for certain types of contraceptives for their employees.

Supreme Court rules against Obama in contraception case | CNN

Supreme Court exempts Hobby Lobby from Obamacare contraception mandate | CBS News

Jun 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, made landmark decisions about the Affordable Care Act

Essentially, the case questioned three different parts of the Affordable Care Act.

The first question was about the individual mandate that requires most Americans must acquire insurance or pay a penalty, and whether that mandate falls within the power of the U.S. Congress to levy taxes. On this point the Supreme Court decided "yes" by a vote of 5-4 (liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, along with conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. in favor - conservative Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito against).

The second question was whether the individual mandate is justified by the power of the U.S. Congress to regulate interstate commerce. On this point the Supreme Court decided "no" by a vote of 5-4 (all four liberal justices in favor, all four conservative justices and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. against).

The third question was about Medicaid expansion and whether it was within the power of the U.S. Congress to coerce states into accepting the expansion or lose Medicaid funding all together. On this point the Supreme Court decided "no" by a vote of 7-2.

Source:

Liptak, Adam. (June 28, 2012). "Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law, 5-4, in Victory for Obama". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-03-05.

"National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2015-03-05.

Supreme Court ObamaCare | Ruling on ObamaCare | Obamacare Facts

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