Split Rulings on Health Law Leave Congress Handicapping Outcomes

Split court rulings on whether the health care law subsidies should be available on the federal insurance exchange stirred up arguments for and against the law from Democrats and Republicans. 

Partner Robert Bradner said one of the major reasons the Supreme Court takes up a case is if appellate courts rule differently on an issue. If the full D.C. appeals court sides with the panel of judges, he said, that would increase the likelihood that the high court takes up the case given the other circuit’s decision.

If the high court hears the case and sides with the plaintiffs, the implications for the health law would be huge because subsidies would disappear in the federal exchange and it is expected that people would drop coverage because they could no longer afford it.

READ: Split Rulings on Health Law Leave Congress Handicapping Outcomes (subscription required)