Affordable Care Act
Date: 21 June 2021 Tags: MiscellaneousIssue
The Supreme Court of USA has dismissed a petition that challenged Obama-era Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Background
The act was a major step towards affordable healthcare to poor families and covered millions of Americans, especially minorities.
Details
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The administration of Texas State had filed a petition in the Supreme Court and was also endorsed by former President Trump.
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President Obama had initiated the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 to make everyone to obtain minimum health insurance coverage.
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The act imposed a certain penalty on individuals who had failed to get the minimum coverage. Later, this penalty was nullified to $0.
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The move made states like Texas to approach Supreme Court. They argued that the nullification of penalty made the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional and invalid.
Goals of the act
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Making health insurance affordable for majority of people.
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Covering all adults below 138 percent of poverty line by expanding Medicaid program.
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Reducing cost of healthcare by lowering medical delivery methods through innovation.
Supreme Court response
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The court said that the concerns raised by the plaintiffs were not worth noting. It declined to further go ahead with checking the constitutionality.
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This is not the first time such pleas were filed in the court. Previously in 2012 and 2015, the court had dismissed similar pleas.