How the Supreme Courts Affordable Care Act decision could affect your practice

From international law firm Arnold & Porter LLP comes a timely column that provides views on current regulatory and legislative topics that weigh on the minds of today’s physicians and health care executives.On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a long-anticipated decision (previously previewed) in the latest legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case, King v. Burwell, concerns the lawfulness of an IRS regulation allowing low-income enrollees in health plans offered on federally-facilitated health insurance exchanges (called Federal Exchanges) to receive tax credits to subsidize the cost of their health insurance premiums. The Court’s decision upholding the IRS rule is a major victory for proponents of the ACA. According to the nonpartisan Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., an estimated 8.2 million people in 34 states risked losing their health insurance coverage if the Court ruled to invalidate the IRS regulation. What does this decision mean for health care providers? In short, it depends on where you live, where you work and on the local politics in your state. Here’s a guide to help you break it down.