An Oklahoma federal judge early this week halted subsidies available to certain consumers who have bought insurance coverage via healthcare-exchanges. The ruling is another recent indicator that the issue will ultimately fall to the U.S. Supreme court for the last decision.
The ruling adds to a number of rulings as to whether or not consumers in the country depending on the federal marketplace are legally allowed to gain access to subsidies, a question a majority would expect to land in the Supreme Court. Two appeals back in July issued conflicting ruling regarding health law subsidies, which brought about questions on the stand of tax credits offered to Americans.
In 2012, Oklahoma challenged the IRS rule, saying that the ACA language lets subsidies to be offered only in states that created their own exchanges.
The federal government operates some or all internet-based exchanges in a number of states. This means, the number of individuals are required to buy health insurance or be penalized, could dramatically shrink if subsidies are invalidated.