Slideshow produced by Jessica Marcy, Kaiser Health News and Amanda Stupi, KQED
Inside the Supreme Court building this week, the nation’s highest court is hearing oral arguments in a case that seeks to overturn the 2010 health law. Outside the building, Americans gathered to express their support or opposition to the law — or just to see history being made.
The second image is of Spike Dolomite Ward, who wrote an apology to President Obama in December.
(Ronnie Pitman: Flickr)
Over the last year as the myriad court cases about the federal health care law have made their way to the highest court in the land, California has spent that time moving ahead aggressively in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). California was the first state to pass legislation to set up a health insurance exchange. The state also set up a new high risk pool so people with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance.
But what happens if the Supreme Court declares the individual mandate unconstitutional? Or overturns the entire law? What can still go forward in California?
The answer depends in part upon whom you ask. But for the most part California — like all states — will find it tough to move forward without the backing of the federal law. Continue reading
The Question: Is the individual mandate constitutional?
Of the four questions the Supreme Court is considering, this is the big one. The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. If your annual income is below a certain level–about $92,000 for a family of four– the government will provide subsidies or tax credits to help you. The primary legal question is this: does Congress have the authority under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution to require Americans to purchase a product, in this case health insurance? Those in favor say yes–Congress can both regulate interstate commerce and legislate taxes. Those opposed say this is the first time Congress has required Americans to purchase a product and it’s unconstitutional.
As she left the hearings, NPR’s Nina Totenberg tweeted, ”The government had a hard time. And if they win, they win narrowly. I don’t think you can call this.”
You can listen to the complete oral arguments here:
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By: KQED News Staff and wires
Chief Justice John Roberts is emerging as a potential swing vote regarding the individual mandate. (Courtesy: U.S. Supreme Court)
Sharp questioning by the Supreme Court’s conservative justices has cast serious doubt on the survival of the individual insurance requirement at the heart of President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul.
Arguments at the high court Tuesday focused on whether the insurance requirement “is a step beyond what our cases allow,” in the words of Justice Anthony Kennedy.
He and Chief Justice John Roberts are emerging as the seemingly pivotal votes.
Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito appeared likely to join with Justice Clarence Thomas to vote to strike down the key provision. The four Democratic appointees seemed ready to vote to uphold it.
The individual mandate requires those not covered by employer-based health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid to purchase coverage, with the help of government subsidies if they meet a certain income threshold. Continue reading
Protesters demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court on the second day of hearings about the constitutionality of the federal health care law. (Mark Wilson: Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking up the key question in the challenge to President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul: Can the government force people to carry insurance or pay a penalty?
The justices hear extended arguments on that topic this morning. It’s the linchpin of the law’s aim to get medical insurance to an additional 30 million people, at a reasonable cost to private insurers and state governments.
Virtually every American will be affected by the outcome, due this summer in the heat of the presidential and congressional election campaigns. Continue reading
Bruce Bodaken is CEO of Blue Shield of California. (Photo: Cindy Charles)
To those who haven’t followed the health care debate closely until now, you might be surprised by one of California’s leading proponents of universal coverage. It’s Bruce Bodaken, CEO of Blue Shield of California, one of California’s largest health insurance companies. He first proposed a system of universal coverage for Californians ten years ago.
“At that time, there was 20 percent of Californians without coverage,” he said in an interview with KQED. “We looked at that in one of the richest societies in the world and said, ‘Simply unacceptable for people not to have at least basic health care.’ So we proposed that all people in California have at least basic coverage. Those that can’t afford it would be subsidized and all groups and individuals would be mandated to be covered.”
It sounds a lot like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being considered by the Supreme Court this week. Tomorrow, the Court will hear oral arguments about the constitutionality of the individual mandate — the requirement that all Americans have health insurance. Those opposed say that Congress has exceeded its authority in requiring Americans to purchase a product. Continue reading
The Question: Can the Supreme Court Even Consider the Case Right Now?
Today the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether it needs to wait until 2015 to decide the constitutionality of the federal health care law. The question stems from the arcane 1867 Tax Anti-Junction Act.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that people purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Many people say this “penalty” is a tax in disguise. The Tax Anti-Injunction Act bars people from suing over a tax until they actually pay the tax. Since the ACA goes into full effect in 2014, no penalties will be paid until 2015 — which would be the soonest someone who paid the tax could challenge the constitutionality of the ACA.
The Court seemed skeptical of this argument in today’s hearings.
You can listen for yourself here:
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Justices react skeptically to delaying ruling due to arcane “Tax Anti-Injunction Act“
(Mike Renlund: Flickr)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court plunged into debate Monday on the fate of the Obama administration’s overhaul of the nation’s health care system, starting with pointed questions about a legal issue that could derail the case.
Eight of the nine justices fired two dozen questions in less than half hour at Washington attorney Robert Long. He had been appointed by the justices to argue that the case has been brought prematurely because a law bars tax disputes from being heard in the courts before the taxes have been paid.
Under the new law, taxpayers who don’t purchase health insurance will have to report that omission on tax returns for 2014 and will pay a penalty along with federal income tax. At issue is whether that penalty is a tax. Continue reading
From: NPR
(Image: NPR)
When the U.S. Supreme Court hears challenges to the Obama administration’s health care law this week, the arguments will be complex, with questions about states’ rights, mandatory insurance, and Medicaid. To introduce some of those concepts — and to offer a way to occupy your time while the court deliberates — our friends at NPR offer a word search built around terms that will be in the news this week.
The court has set aside six hours to hear arguments about health care, the most time allotted for a single issue in decades. In that time, the justices will consider the government’s effort to lower the number of uninsured Americans. And at least one member of the high court will likely do it while wearing a jabot — a lace collar favored by female judges.
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MindShift reports on technology and education from KQED in San Francisco
