Watch CBS News

NightSide - The Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare

BOSTON (CBS) - In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, would not be struck down despite a technicality in its wording. The central issue of the case revolved around whether the phrase "established by the state" meant that citizens who lived in one of the thirty-four states without its own state-run exchange would lose their federal subsidies. The majority opinion stated that the law was intended to expand coverage, and that the court interpreted the language with that goal in mind. Justice Scalia, who was joined by Justice Thomas and Justice Alito in his dissent, expressed concern that the court was making up for sloppy language written by Congress rather than using a strict legal interpretation of the law. Tonight, Dan will be joined by AEI Legal Expert Thomas Miller, who believes the decision and the law itself are a big mistake. Later, Dan will be joined in studio by Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Executive Director of Health Care For All. She'll explain why she believes today's ruling is a big win for our nation. What do you think? Did the court make a mistake in its decision? Or should the intent of the law be more important than the specific language used? Is this a dangerous precedent for the court to set?

Originally broadcast June 25th, 2015.

AEI Legal Expert Thomas Miller:

Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Executive Director of Health Care For All

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.