Posted on 05/27/2015 7:55:29 PM PDT by upchuck
If the plaintiffs win the current Affordable Care Act (ACA) case before the U.S. Supreme Court, King v. Burwell, millions of Americans who bought health insurance through the federal marketplace or exchange will lose the federal tax dollars theyre getting to help buy their policies.
Thats because the Court would have ruled the ACA only allowed subsidies to be given to those buying policies on state-established exchanges; not the federal website.
It would theoretically be a victory for Republicans who oppose Obamacare: Americans would likely find the health care law less palatable if tax money isnt helping pay for their mandatory policies. They would suddenly be exposed to the reality faced by those who arent getting subsidies: insurance may cost more, come with higher deductibles, and provide less coverage.
But some Congressional Republicans are more worried about winning the Supreme Court case than losing it.
There are Republicans right now scared to death that were going to win, says one Republican leader who did not want to be quoted by name. Theyre in meetings right now planning ways to revive the subsidies if the [Supreme] Court strikes them down.
The irony is that Republicans would, in effect, be providing a crucial fix to a law theyve opposed since its inception. In other words, when Obamacare would be at greatest risk of crumbling, Republicans would be ensuring its survival.
Republican Rationale
According to a dozen Congressional Republicans who discussed the topic but did not wish to be named, they worry the public wouldn’t view a strike-down of the subsidies as a weakness in Obamacare, but would instead blame Republicans for taking money away from them.
These Republicans also worry that the news media will coalesce behind that view, making it difficult to overcome from a public relations standpoint.
Politico reports that 31 senators are backing a bill by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, that would restore subsidies for the affected Obamacare customers through September 2017.
Large percentages of those polled say they would support a fix if the subsidies are found to be unlawful. Significant numbers of those polled don’t understand how the federal and state exchanges work.
Poorest Americans Will Still Receive Free Health Care
Meantime, theres has been a great deal of misreporting implying millions will lose their health insurance if the Supreme Court wipes out subsidies for federal exchange customers.
In fact, such a decision wouldnt remove anybodys health insurance and those affected would still be required, under Obamacare, to have insurance; they would just have to pay for it themselves.
For example, under Obamacare, a couple earning as much as six figures with three children is currently eligible for taxpayer assistance to buy health insurance. If plaintiffs win the Supreme Court case, nothing would change for that family as long as they purchased their health insurance through a state exchange. If, however, they bought insurance through the federal website, they would lose their subsidy.
The poorest Americans will be unaffected no matter what the Supreme Court decides. They have long had free health care under Medicaid insurance for the poor. Under Obamacare, many states, such as California, extended Medicaid to people making more money than before, such as a couple with three children earning $39,206 a year.
Thanks for the ping...the *worried* Pubbies need to be named and shamed. I bet all/most of them ran, in their last election, on defunding/repealing 0KenyanCare.
Also, great news about Sharyl’s new Sunday morning talk show! I can’t wait ;-)
Once again the Republicans are dithering over offending the wrong people.
Yep.
Unfortunately, there were absurd mandates placed on insurance companies by state legislators who were lobbied to force insurers to cover all kinds of things. Until all these mandates are removed and people are truly free to buy only the insurance they want, insurance and health care costs will continue to increase.
Republicans did not force this down the throats of the the people.
The GOP always gives up a royal flush by throwing away the Ace, King, and Queen of spades and drawing three so they can hopefully get a pair of jacks an maybe add a pair of 10s to it...
They don't know how to play this game.
They would lose the vote of those getting stuff for nothing anyway.
Still, why do Federal subsidies exist?
Why not let the real cost show itself instead of increasing our national debt for it?
Why not let those who end up not being covered make their own decision as to whether they want coverage or not. If they want it EARN it. It’s not a right.
Republicans did not force this down the throats of the the people.
And they have not lifted a finger to repeal it either......
I hope SCOTUS rules against the subsidies. At the same time, unless the GOP grants some sort of extension, I and countless others are screwed through no fault of our own.
I would like to see something like Sen Johnson's bill pass. It would extend subsidies through September, 2017 as well as repeal mandates. The key word is temporary. Give the free market time to adjust.
You claim a “ don't care attitude” which is fine by me. I just want to make sure you know that there are those of us who are as much against obamacare are as you who will have the rug pulled out from under them should SCOTUS rule against the subsidies, especially if the GOP fails to have a TEMPORARY measure ready to roll.
Sorry. I risk becoming a one trick poster and swore no more posts about this. :). I have no clue what will happen after the SCOTUS decision. I understand Sen. Johnson's bill is not supported by all. Rep Tom Price wants no extension, thinking it will make Congress act faster. (Right, when has that happened?)
It's a scary place to be right now.
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