Vital Signs newsletter: Supreme Court upholds Obamacare tax subsidies

The U.S. Supreme Court handed President Barack Obama a major win this morning by upholding tax subsidies critical to the success of his health care law.

The 6-3 decision — marking the second time in three years the court has thwarted a major challenge to the Affordable Act — means nothing changes. The subsidies are here to stay. But supporters of the law are celebrating because the ruling means millions of Americans who rely on the subsidies will keep their health insurance.

In Maine, 61,000 people will hang on to their subsidies, which help them to afford their monthly health insurance premiums. Without the financial leg up, the average premium in Maine would have shot up nearly 400 percent, from $88 to $425 per month, according to one analysis.

“Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court’s decision.

In his strongly worded dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote, “We should start calling this law SCOTUScare.”

Supreme Court upholds Obamacare tax subsidies

Other top health stories:

Sen. Angus King to have surgery for prostate cancer

This is the second occurrence of cancer in the former Maine governor, who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, 40 years ago.

Shaw’s, Hannaford store brand water part of recall over E. coli concerns

Niagara Bottling supplies Shaw’s spring water and the Hannaford brand Nature’s Place, as well as the Best Yet brand and others, according to a consumer notice from the company.

Calais Regional Hospital CEO resigns after six years at helm

Michael Lally made some difficult and unpopular decisions during his tenure, such as reducing hours for 90 employees and laying off a handful of workers as part of an effort to rein in a deficit.

 

From our bloggers

Diane Atwood, Catching Health

10 important tips for preventing deadly medical errors and infections

“We need to engage in our own care and advocate for ourselves because nobody else is going to do it for us like we would,” says patient advocate Kathy Day.

Jackie Conn, Sooner or Lighter

Best Ever Doctor’s Weight Loss Plan — Guaranteed Results!

The one doctor who can inspire you to success is the one and only Dr. Seuss.

 

From the source

Need a little light reading to enjoy with lunch? Here’s the Supreme Court’s ruling on the ACA subsidies.

 

Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell

 

Jackie Farwell

About Jackie Farwell

I'm the health editor for the Bangor Daily News, a Bangor native, a UMaine grad, and a weekend crossword warrior. I never get sick of writing about Maine people, geeking out over health care data, and finding new ways to help you stay well. I live in Gorham with my husband Nick and our hound dog Riley.