The Affordable Care Act is no stranger to the court room. First came the U.S. Supreme Court challenge over the constitutionality of its key requirement that all Americans get health insurance or pay a penalty. More recently, the country’s highest court ruled that owners of some private companies can object on religious grounds to a provision of the law requiring employers to cover birth control.
On Tuesday, the law’s financial subsidies that help Americans afford coverage took the legal limelight. By chance, two courts issued entirely conflicting rulings, on the same day. Within hours of each other, actually.
Judges can’t agree on the law any more than the rest of us can, it turns out.
Other top health stories this week:
Man accused of touring US hospitals, injuring himself to get painkillers, arrested in Maine
He was wanted by — of all federal agencies — the postal service, for allegedly providing staff at more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. false names and addresses.
LePage administration wants adults without children to work to get food stamps
After a five-year break, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services plans once again to require childless adults to work in order to receive help through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
From our bloggers
Diane Atwood, Catching Health
Enjoying Maine’s Fabulous Produce — Safely
Keeping the focus on including fresh, minimally processed, well-managed fruits and vegetables, possibly all within a short distance from where you live, is crucial in sustainable nutrient rich foods.
Jackie Conn, Sooner or Lighter
How to Really Get Rid of Stubborn Belly Fat
It’s not a matter of buying the stuff you saw on an infomercial. Save your money, it won’t work.
Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell