U.S. Supreme Court hears challenge to Obamacare

Global Business

Protestors hold placards challenging “Obamacare” outside of the US Supreme Court on March 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. The US Supreme Court faces a momentous case Wednesday on the sweeping health insurance reform law that President Barack Obama wants to leave as part of his legacy. The question before the court is whether the seven million people or more who subscribed via the government’s website can obtain tax subsidies that make the coverage affordable. A ruling is expected in June. AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN

A landmark healthcare law in the United States is once again under fire. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments that could affect how the Affordable Care Act, known colloquially in the U.S. as Obamacare, insures millions of Americans.

CCTV’s Jessica Stone has been tracking the case and the debate.

U.S. Supreme Court hears challenge to Obamacare

A landmark healthcare law in the United States is once again under fire. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments that could affect how the Affordable Care Act, known colloquially in the U.S. as Obamacare, insures millions of Americans. CCTV's Jessica Stone has been tracking the case and the debate.

Highlights:

      • At issue is if the U.S. Federal Government can subsidize insurance premiums for millions of Americans who live in 36 states where there are federal healthcare exchanges, not state-run ones.
      • The plaintiffs are arguing that the law was only designed to offer subsidies to those who live in the 16 states who set up their own exchanges, not the majority who get their healthcare through the federal exchanges.
      • If the U.S. Supreme Court decides that those subsidies are only for the states with state exchanges, as many as eight million Americans could lose their health insurance.
      • The US government says that more than 11 million Americans signed up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act.
      • Several Congressional Republicans say they are working on a backup plan to provide health insurance coverage for the millions who couldn’t afford it without subsidies.
      • The U.S. Supreme Court isn’t expected to make a decision until June.

U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Affordable Care Act and it’s legality

CCTV America interviewed Don Taylor for more on the Affordable Care Act. He’s an associate professor of public policy at Duke University in North Carolina.

U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Affordable Care Act and it\'s legality

CCTV America interviewed Don Taylor for more on the Affordable Care Act. He's an associate professor of public policy at Duke University in North Carolina.


A transcript of the arguments, King v. Burwell, before the U.S. Supreme Court, March 4, 2015.