Fall 2015 Issue of Horizons

HEALTHCARE

Affordable Care Act Is Now Reality for American Healthcare – Frequently Asked Questions by Tom Zetlmeisl, CPA, CFE, CFF, CGMA

O n June 25, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3, in King v. Burwell , that the federal government can continue to provide tax subsidies to individuals buying health insurance on the federal exchange.

Specifically, the ACA expands Medicaid eligibility, offers cost assistance through health insurance marketplaces and creates new rules for insurance companies and businesses, among other reforms. Over the past few years, the ACA has come under fierce opposition and faced several lawsuits that challenged the legality of the federal tax subsidies created by the law. The main issues raised by King v. Burwell were related to anomalies in the wording of the act itself.

In essence, this ruling means the Affordable Care Act is here to stay.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law by President Obama in 2010, is the health-care reform law that aims to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health-care insurance by expanding both private and public insurance.

page 58 | horizons Fall 2015