Supreme Court rules in favor of continued subsidies

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 where the federal government operates 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.

AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said, “Today is a significant victory for protecting access to care for many of those who need it. America’s hospitals will continue to advocate for coverage for all, an essential part of better health and better health care for Americans.”

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the court’s majority opinion, joined by Justices Anthony Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the dissent, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

For analysis on the ruling by AHA outside counsel Sean Marotta, a Hogan Lovells associate focused on appellate and Supreme Court litigation, visit the AHASTAT blog.