Supreme Court upholds Obamacare subsidies for 60,000 Mainers

Also on this page: Read the King vs. Burwell decision

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans, including more than 60,000 in Maine.

The justices said in a 6-3 ruling Thursday that the subsidies that 8.7 million people receive to make insurance affordable do not depend on where they live, under the 2010 health care law. An opposite ruling could have denied federal subsidies to people living in 34 states — including Maine — because those states use a federal insurance marketplace rather than a state-based marketplace.

Health care advocates from around Maine hailed the decision Thursday.

“What was at stake here was really large and we’re just really pleased to be able to see people continue to get access to health care,” said Jacob Grindle, program coordinator for Wilton-based Western Maine Community Action, one of two Maine organizations that received federal money to help Mainers sign up through the marketplace.

Kevin Lewis, CEO of Maine Community Health Options in Lewiston, the state’s only health insurance co-op, was also pleased.

“Now people throughout our service area and throughout the country can continue to access affordable health care coverage,” Lewis said.

Most Mainers who use federal subsidies get Maine Community Health Options insurance.

Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King and Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, both from Maine. also hailed the court’s decision Thursday.

“Today, more than 60,000 people in Maine and millions more across the country can breathe a sigh of relief that they still have access to the high-quality, affordable health insurance plans provided through the Affordable Care Act,” King said in a statement. “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision and hope that we can finally put discussions about dismantling the law behind us, and instead, dedicate ourselves to making this law better for the millions of Americans who it helps every day.”

In 2015, over 68,000 Mainers signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov. Nearly 90 percent — almost 61,000 people — received federal subsidies to help pay for that insurance. The average subsidy in Maine is $337 a month.

Thursday’s ruling is the second major victory for Obama in politically charged Supreme Court tests of his most significant domestic achievement.

Chief Justice John Roberts again voted with his liberal colleagues in support of the law. Roberts also was the key vote to uphold the law in 2012.

Justice Anthony Kennedy also voted with his more liberal colleagues.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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A one-year checkup on how the ACA is doing in Maine and a subsidy calculator can be found at SunJournal.com/ACA201

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Here’s what to expect from year two and beyond for the ACA in Maine.

Lewiston insurer is a national ‘rock star’
Today, a year after it started offering health insurance from its Lewiston headquarters in the Bates Mill, Maine Community Health Options has more than 40,000 members.

Profiles of Mainers who bought health insurance through the ACA marketplace:

You’ve seen how the Affordable Care Act affected other Mainers in 2014. How about you? Good, bad or neutral — share your ACA stories.

Resources:

Affordable Care Act 101: We break down the ACA, what it does and what it requires you to do.