How Health Law's Taxes, Penalties Will Be Enforced
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Judging The Health Care Law
When the U.S. Supreme Court made a Medicaid expansion optional under the Affordable Care Act, the decision lowered the estimated cost of the law.
After Supreme Court Ruling, Health Law Will Cover Fewer And Cost Less
()The Supreme Court decision that made the expansion of Medicaid optional for states will result in 3 million fewer people getting coverage. And that will also reduce the overall price tag of the law over the next decade by about $84 billion.
The Arguments
When the Supreme Court weighed the fate of President Obama's health care overhaul law in March, the justices looked at several key issues:
March 26
Anti-Injunction Act
An 1867 law raises the question: Did the Supreme Court have the right to hear this case yet?
March 27
Individual Mandate
The court considered the question: Does Congress have the authority to compel people to buy health insurance?
March 28
Severability
If the court were to strike down one part of the law, such as the individual mandate, would the whole law become invalid? If not, were there other parts that were inextricably linked that would have to be struck down as well?
March 28
Medicaid
The court heard arguments on requiring states to expand their Medicaid programs.
More NPR Coverage
Court Gives States Ammunition In Health Care Battle()
July 9, 2012 The Supreme Court's health ruling limited the federal government's power to withhold funding if states don't meet certain requirements. But it didn't draw a clear line between the types of financial conditions that are OK and those unfair to states. That's likely to lead to lawsuits.
It's All Politics
Did Roberts Flip On The Health Care Decision?()
July 3, 2012 Since the Supreme Court's health care ruling — in which Chief Justice John Roberts provided the key vote to uphold most of the law — speculation has raged about whether he changed his mind in the course of deliberations. In many ways, the question of a switch misperceives how the court works.
Assessing The Supreme Court's Recent Term()
July 2, 2012 The health care case wasn't the only important decision rendered by the court during its recent term. New York Times reporter Adam Liptak rounds up the session's most important cases — including ones addressing immigration, campaign finance and Guantanamo detainees.
Shots - Health News
The Day After A Health Care Crescendo, Each Side Plays A Familiar Refrain()
June 29, 2012 Supporters of the Affordable Care Act are back to singing its praises and doling out money. Opponents are trying to focus on the one aspect of the case that they won, limiting government's ability to withhold Medicaid money from states.
Court's Recent Rulings Shake Up Partisan Narrative()
June 29, 2012 Supreme Court decisions have tended to fall along partisan lines in recent years. But neither the Arizona immigration ruling nor the decision upholding the federal health care law followed the typical divide. Many observers say it will help the court's standing to appear above politics.
Doctors Applaud Ruling But Keep Champagne On Ice()
June 29, 2012 Many medical professionals are glad people won't lose coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. Still, they worry about whether there will be enough physicians to treat increased patient loads — and who will ultimately pay the bill.
Shots - Health News
Supreme Court Ruling Prompts Foot Race In Press Corps()
June 29, 2012 Journalists raced to get copies of the Supreme Court decision on the federal health law out of the courthouse as fast as humanly possible. Photographers were there to document their colleagues' athletic prowess.
The Two-Way
On The Morning After, Who's The Winner Is Everybody's Guess()
June 29, 2012 Figuring out who benefits most politically from Thursday's Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of President Obama's health care overhaul seems to be today's toughest assignment.
It's All Politics
Roberts' Ruling Recalls Other Moments When High Court Shocked The Nation()
June 29, 2012 Time and again, the court has shaken up American politics with pronouncements no one quite expected, from the rejection of "separate but equal" schools to the striking down of bans on gay sex. And the effects of a landmark decision may only be revealed over time.
Planet Money
After Years Of Uncertainty, A Health-Care Business Gets An Answer()
June 29, 2012 It's 9:45 am on Thursday at the headquarters of Health Plan One, a health insurance agency that sells private policies. The biggest court decision ever regarding health insurance is about to come down.
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