WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a new challenge to President Barack Obama’s health care law that threatens subsidies that help millions of low- and middle-income people afford their health insurance premiums.
The justices said they will review a unanimous federal appeals court ruling that upheld Internal Revenue Service regulations that allow health-insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for consumers in all 50 states. Opponents argue that most of the subsidies are illegal.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the congressional intent behind the law is for eligible customers regardless of where they live to receive assistance from the government to subsidize the purchase of health care. He promised a vigorous defense before the high court.
“We continue to have high confidence in the legal argument, both from a legal perspective and a common-sense perspective. This is a law that is working, that’s why you’ll see a vigorous defense here,” Earnest said.
The long-running political and legal campaign to overturn or limit the 2010 health overhaul will be making its second appearance at the Supreme Court. The justices upheld the heart of the law in a 5-4 decision in 2012 in which Chief Justice John Roberts provided the decisive vote.