U.S.

court rulings create new uncertainty over Obamacare

Circuit court, dominated by appointees of Democratic presidents, was likely to overturn its panel's
ruling or at least revisit it.
The Supreme Court upheld the Obamacare law on constitutional grounds in 2012 but allowed states
to opt out of a major provision involving Medicaid coverage. Subsidies are available to people with
annual incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or $94,200 for a family of four.
"This has got probably more rounds of appeals and so forth, so nothing is going to really happen
right now," said John Holahan of the nonpartisan Urban Institute.
"Some states may jump into action to set up their own exchanges to qualify as state-based
exchanges," Holahan added. Supreme Court, which in June 2012 narrowly upheld the Democratic
president's 2010 healthcare overhaul.
The twin rulings fell in line with partisan disagreements over healthcare reform, with two judges
appointed by Republican presidents deciding against the administration in the District of Columbia
and three judges appointed by Democrats ruling in favor in Virginia.
The rulings also reignited the debate over Obamacare on Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail to
November congressional elections. Last month, the high court's conservative majority ruled again on
the law, saying closely held for-profit corporations could object to Obamacare's contraception
provision on religious grounds.

"Today's ruling is also further proof that President

Obama's healthcare law is completely unworkable. But
legal experts and some Republicans on Capitol Hill said
the full D.C. The cases deal with the government's ability
to offer premium tax credits to people who purchase
private coverage through the federal insurance
marketplace that serves the majority of the 8 million
consumers who signed up for 2014.
The U.S. And in the absence of any contrary indications,
that text is conclusive evidence of Congress's intent."
The D.C.
By David Morgan and Aruna Viswanatha
WASHINGTON Wed Jul 23, 2014 3:28am IST