Breaking News: Supreme Court Upholds ACA

The United States Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by a 5-4 vote, ruling that the individual mandate qualifies as a tax. Chief Justice John Roberts, who was the deciding vote that deemed the mandate constitutional according to Bloomberg Law’s SCOTUS Blog.  The cornerstone of the controversial individual mandate would  require most Americans to carry health insurance or pay a penalty. After the ruling, SCOTUS blog watchers stated, “The bottom line: the entire ACA is upheld, with the exception that the federal government’s power to terminate states’ Medicaid funds is narrowly read.”

The court is issuing its ruling this morning on the challenges brought by 26 states, including Michigan, and the National Federation of Independent Business against the national health care law championed by President Barack Obama. Some of the many other provisions already have gone into effect, such as free wellness exams for seniors and allowing children up to age 26 to remain on their parents’ health insurance policies. Some of those provisions are likely to be retained by some insurance companies.

Uploading the law, raises concerns about governmental programs to advance greater care coordination in the delivery of healthcare and quality-based payment reforms, supported by health IT. What are your thoughts on the potential impact for health IT?

Click here to read the Court’s opinion:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf