Catch Up on King v. Burwell Before Oral Arguments

On Wednesday, March 4, the Supreme Court of the United States will be hearing the case of King v. Burwell, and the decision—expected sometime in June—could have catastrophic effects on the current state of healthcare in the United States.

The American Journal of Managed Care will be live-reporting updates from oral arguments, which begin at 10 am on Wednesday. You can keep up with the news as it happens by following @AJMC_Journal or by checking back at ajmc.com.

Before oral arguments kick off, though, catch up on what has happened in the months leading up to the case.

Supreme Court Passes on ACA Subsidy Case—For Now — 11/03/14

Initially, the Supreme Court passed on hearing the King v. Burwell case, but later decided to add the appeal to the docket.

Supreme Court Will Hear ACA Subsidy Case — 11/07/14

On the heels of a major Republican victory in the midterm elections, the Supreme Court has decided to review the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act.

Supreme Court Sets March 4 as Date to Hear Challenge to ACA Subsidies — 12/22/14

The most important case since the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act will determine the law's ability to function in states without their own exchanges.

87% of HealthCare.gov Consumers Receiving Financial Assistance for Premiums — 01/01/15

A large majority of people who selected health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov during the first month of open enrollment for 2015 will receive financial assistance for their monthly premiums, according to HHS.

The Potential Fallout if SCOTUS Invalidates ACA Subsidies for Federal Exchange — 01/08/15

If the Supreme Court invalidates Affordable Care Act subsidies for consumers on the federal exchange, states without their own Marketplaces will be unlikely to stave off "immediate destabilization" of their insurance market, according to experts.

Eliminating Federal Marketplace Subsidies Will Increase Costs Up to 47% - 01/10/15

Studies from RAND and the Urban Institute estimate that eliminating subsidies for the federally facilitated Marketplaces would increase premiums between 35% and 47% and cause at least 8.2 million people to drop coverage.

Supreme Court Rejects New Challenge to Obamacare Law — 01/13/15

The US Supreme Court declined to take up another broad challenge to President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, this time from the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and the Alliance for Natural Health USA.

Republicans Face Conundrum With Health Law Case — 02/09/15

With a significant increase in their numbers on Capitol Hill, Republicans theoretically have more power to undo President Obama’s healthcare overhaul, but they also have more responsibility for the results.

Supreme Court Ruling Could Cost $12 Billion in Uncompensated Care — 02/13/15

A new report finds that if the Supreme Court strikes down the federal subsidies that help people buy insurance on HealthCare.gov, there will be $12 billion worth of healthcare that is not paid for in 2016.

Payers, Hospitals Defend ACA Ahead of King v Burwell — 02/13/15

With the March 4 Supreme Court hearing on King v. Burwell looming, big business is stepping up to defend the healthcare reform law.

At Winter Meeting, Governors Admit No “Plan B” if ACA Subsidies Fall — 02/23/15

Governors in states without their own exchanges admit they have no fallback option if the Supreme Court takes away subsidies from an estimated 8 million consumers.

Kaiser Report Predicts Severe Market Disruption if ACA Subsidies Are Lost — 02/26/15

A lengthy report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation predicts widespread market disruption if ACA premium subsidies are lost under King vs. Burwell. Adverse selection, insurers exiting markets, and higher rates are just some of the possibilities.

Dr David Blumenthal Weighs in on the Effect of King v. Burwell Decision — 03/03/14

On March 4 the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of King v. Burwell, which determines the fate of subsidies in the 34 federally facilitated marketplaces, and David Blumenthal, MD, chief executive officer of The Commonwealth Fund, outlined the potentially catastrophic effects if the Court were to side with the plaintiffs.