Supreme Court Rules, “Obamacare Subsidies For Everyone!”
After extended debate, the suspense is over: 6 of 9 Supreme Court justices have spoken and Obamacare isn’t going away. Federal tax credits will still be available to those already covered with the universal healthcare plan implemented in 2010. Alongside the ruling to repeal same-sex marriage bans, the verdict marks this week as one for the history books.
Healthcare law has been contested heatedly for the past several years. Old news. But since the Affordable Care Act passed five years ago, political discussions have been plagued with issues regarding states’ authority to regulate Obamacare.
Federal Subsidy Exchanges: The Debate
Many states chose not to establish exchanges for federal tax credits when the Act passed in 2010 – meaning Obamacare has only been accessible to some Americans, but not all. Until today.
If the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the alternative, tax credit subsidies would be available exclusively at exchanges that are state-run. If your state government had no exchanges, you’d be out of luck.
Today, almost 156,000 Tennesseans and 9 million Americans nationwide depend on federal tax credit exchanges to pay for health insurance. One can imagine that they are sighing a collective, “PHEW!”
Tennessee And Healthcare
Meanwhile, the end of this Supreme Court case seems to have rekindled debate over Governor Bill Haslam’s potential program for expanding insurance in Tennessee.
Aptly named, “Insure Tennessee” has been turned down twice so far in state senate proceedings. Republicans made the point that it’s probably a good idea to hold off discussing logistics for this program until today’s Supreme Court ruling on subsidy exchanges. Now that it’s settled, maybe third time’s a charm?
Insurance Tennessee, if eventually implemented, will be financially backed by Medicaid. Supporters of the program think it will help healthcare become more accessible to the approximate 300,000 Tennesseans who are currently uninsured.
Where do you stand with health insurance? If today’s Supreme Court ruling reminds you of your own healthcare troubles, we can help. Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to hear what you have to say, and do whatever it takes to ensure that you and your loved ones will have heath coverage when you need it.
Call (615) 259-2660
