‘Obamacare’ Supreme Court Ruling Coming Thursday

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the health care mandate passed by Congress in 2009 is expected on Thursday.

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Bellevue resident, recently defended Washington state's participation in the suit challenging the constitutionality of the mandated purchase of health insurance in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to the Issaquah Press.

According to CNN, all remaining Supreme Court decisions will be handed down on Thursday.

At the heart of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the mandate which requires people to buy health insurance or face a penalty. Opinions have varied on whether the federal government has the power to force such a purchase.

Health care experts interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor believe that the law can survive even if the mandate is declared unconstitutional.

Even without the mandate, the law’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility would cover some 16 million people, about half the total number of people who would gain insurance if the whole law is upheld, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

In addition, federal subsidies and tax credits for low- and middle-income people to buy insurance in the new marketplaces, or “exchanges” – think Travelocity for health care – will make coverage more affordable.

, to fill the position that will be vacated by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The leading . The two are expected to get through the Aug. 7 primary and face off in the General Election in November.

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