So, health care. It's been a rocky road for the Affordable Health Care Act starting with its narrow win at the United States Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote 5-4 that ensured the passage of the law, also known far and wide as ObamaCare.
The case now to be decided was brought forward with the support of 26 state governments(read governors). This case hinges on financial subsidies to "exchanges" established by states or established by the federal government to assist those who cannot afford mandatory health care. Many taxpayers will confront the "mandate" on their tax returns this year for the first time. Fines will be levied by the IRS on those taxpayers who did not have a valid health insurance policy in effect during the year.
The case is complicated, dealing with many issues, not the least states rights, pervasive federal government, and subsidies using taxes collected to promote a federally mandated program. Chief Justice Roberts again will carry the swing vote in this case as the other 8 justices line up 4-4 along ideological lines reflecting their established philosophies while on the court.
A decision that strikes down the federal subsidies of both federal and state exchanges will cause considerable anxiety among the populations of states where families try to navigate the various iterations of the ACA. Mr. Roberts, no doubt, has a few sleepless night to look forward to over the next few months. And he probably anticipated the first challenge; this one, not so much. Good luck, Mr. Roberts; remember: this is the job you signed up for a few years ago.
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