For the second time, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a key part of the Affordable Care Act. A decision released this morning focuses on federal tax credits, or subsidies, that help many people pay for health insurance under the law.
CPR Health Reporter John Daley talked with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner about the ruling and how Coloradans are reacting.
The high court's decision means nothing changes for people who get insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, according to Kevin Patterson, the interim CEO of the program.
"This is a good day for consumers," Colorado Division of Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar said in a statement issued after the ruling. "Tax credits make health insurance more affordable for many people, and now consumers in other states get to keep them," she added, referring to people who get insurance through the federal exchange, who were the focus of the Supreme Court case.
Adam Fox, with the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, says the ruling is a relief and he's excited "that Colorado can continue to implement reforms and be a leader state.”
Others were disappointed by the ruling, including U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican.
"We will continue to try and improve this flawed program wherever we can," he said in a statement. "However... the American people will have to wait for a Republican president to eliminate Obamacare from our lives."
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.
