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. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
Judging The Health Care Law Starting March 26, the Supreme Court will hear three days of oral arguments on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama's signature legislation. NPR examines the state of health care in America and breaks down the legal, health and economic issues involved.
Special Series
Judging The Health Care Law
Susan Clark (left) argues with another protester about the Affordable Care Act outside the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts likened the law's Medicaid expansion provision to "a gun to the head" of states. Kris Connor/Getty Images hide caption
Since the Supreme Court's health care ruling, there's been a lot of speculation about whether Chief Justice John Roberts changed his mind during the course of deliberations. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption
The U.S. Supreme Court justices (first row, from left) Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, (back row) Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan — pose at the Supreme Court in 2010. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
Joy Reynolds of San Diego, Calif., looks over Friday's front pages on display at the Newseum in Washington, the day after the Supreme Court ruling on President Barack Obama's health care law. David Goldman/AP hide caption
The Day After A Health Care Crescendo, Each Side Plays A Familiar Refrain
The U.S. Supreme Court justices — (first row, from left) Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, (back row) Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan — pose at the Supreme Court in 2010. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
Susan Clark (left) argues with another protester about the Affordable Care Act outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday. Kris Connor/Getty Images hide caption
The U.S. Supreme Court on the eve of a hearing about the Florida presidential election recount, Nov. 30, 2000. The justices later ruled 5-4 in the case of Bush v. Gore, effectively deciding the outcome of the presidential race. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Protesters stand outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday. The court's ruling upholding the federal health care law is expected to have wide-reaching implications for businesses. Kris Connor/Getty Images hide caption
Protesters and supporters of President Obama's health care law await the Supreme Court's ruling Thursday. The court ruled to uphold the law. The focus now shifts to the states, which are responsible for the lion's share of getting people without insurance covered. Kevin Dietsch/UPI /Landov hide caption
Todd Long, a conservative activist, is running for the GOP nomination in Florida's 9th Congressional District. Art Silverman/NPR hide caption
This artist's rendering shows Chief Justice John Roberts (center) speaking at the Supreme Court on Thursday. From left are Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan. The court voted 5-4 to uphold President Obama's health care law. Dana Verkouteren/AP hide caption
A bulletin board in New York's Jamaica Hospital offers advice for uninsured patients. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption
Supporters of President Obama's health care overhaul, cheer outside of the Supreme Court on Thursday, after the court upheld a majority of the law. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption
Reporters await a decision by the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Affordable Healthcare Act, President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
