Supreme Court Upholds Nationwide Health Care Law Subsidies
WASHINGTON (CBS13/AP) -- The Supreme Court has upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans.
The justices said in a 6-3 ruling Thursday that the subsidies that 8.7 million people currently receive to make insurance affordable do not depend on where they live, under the 2010 health care law.
The outcome is the second major victory for Obama in politically charged Supreme Court tests of his most significant domestic achievement.
Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange, released a statement praising the ruling.
"Covered California enrollees and anyone in our state who still needs health insurance should breathe easy knowing the Affordable Care Act is truly the law of the land and is here to stay," said Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee. "This historic law is changing our health care system for the better, giving people access to the best doctors and hospitals in our state."
Chief Justice John Roberts again voted with his liberal colleagues in support of the law. Roberts also was the key vote to uphold the law in 2012.
Justice Anthony Kennedy also voted with his more liberal colleagues.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
