Supreme Court rules in favor of continued subsidies in King v. Burwell

The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled 6-3 that subsidies can continue for the purchase of health insurance for qualified individuals in the 34 states that rely on the federal government to operate their health insurance exchanges.

Plaintiffs in the case King v. Burwell had challenged the validity of the subsidies, arguing that only individuals in states with a state-based insurance exchange were eligible under the language in the Affordable Care Act.

“The AHA welcomes today’s Supreme Court decision,” said AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock in a statement. “There were more than six million good reasons for it because it ensures continued access to health insurance subsidies for so many Americans. In the short time the subsidies have been available, hard-working people who are sick, need care for chronic conditions, or want preventive care have been able to seek care more easily. Most significantly, providing access to primary and preventive care helps improve the health and well-being of individuals, family and communities.”