Supreme Court health care ruling could paralyze Medicare
Posted on 05 June 2012
By Mark Miller
Permanent URL of this article: http://retirementrevised.com/money/supreme-court-health-care-ruling-could-paralyze-medicare
Opponents of President Barack Obama’s health care law have been predicting dire consequences for seniors on Medicare ever since the legislation was signed last year. The warnings are mostly political spin, but there could be real problems if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act this month.
The ACA, a cornerstone of President Obama’s health care plan, would extend health insurance to an additional 23 million Americans by 2019. But it’s run into significant roadblocks as opponents argue that key components are un-Constitutional.
The Supreme Court could decide to uphold the law, strike down specific portions or toss it out entirely. A decision is expected by late June.
Important improvements to Medicare would disappear if the high court decides to toss out the entire law. The decision could paralyze the Medicare system because the act lays out the benefits, payment rates and delivery systems. Some of the changes already have been implemented, and others are works in progress.
