Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Appeals Courts Issue Conflicting Rulings on Health-Law Subsidies: Subsidies Seen as Crucial to Implementation of Affordable Care Act

The Wall Street Journal reports:
Two U.S. appeals courts issued conflicting rulings on whether consumers can receive subsidies for health coverage purchased on insurance exchanges established by the federal government, clouding implementation of a major component of the Obama administration's signature health care law.

In a substantial blow to the administration, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, on a 2-1 vote, invalidated an Internal Revenue Service regulation that implemented a key piece of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. The regulation said subsidies for health insurance were available to qualifying middle- and low-income consumers whether they bought coverage on a state exchange or one run by the federal government.

Two hours later, a Richmond, Va.-based appeals court reached the opposite conclusion, unanimously upholding the IRS rule.
The great moments of ObamaCare.