Across US and Locally, Cheers Accompany Supreme Court Decision Bolstering Obamacare
By Pat Loeb
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) -- The US Supreme Court ruled today that Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act can keep their subsidies.
The 6-3 decision is a relief to a some 300,000 Pennsylvanians who faced losing their coverage if the high court's ruling had gone the other way.
In her 27 years, Regina Moran has beaten cancer -- twice. So she doesn't usually stress about things like pending US Supreme Court decisions.
Still, the Philadelphia social worker says, the ruling in King v. Burwell, which will allow her to keep her health insurance, is welcome news.
"I'm happy," she told KYW Newsradio this morning. "I'm not going to have to worry or feel guilty for having a pre-existing condition." She said she is grateful the law will continue to help her and countless others.
Patients are not the only ones relieved. Their providers are, too.
"We remain on track to the coverage expansion that some day will lead to every American and every Pennsylvanian to have access to the health care they need," said Andy Carter, president of the Pennsylvania Hospital Association.
For opponents of the Affordable Care Act, the fight now switches back to getting the law repealed. US senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and presidential candidate Rick Santorum say that remains their mission. But other members of the Philadelphia congressional delegation commended the high court's decision.