What did the Supreme Court decide about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act?

Asked by: Elnora Wiegand  |  Last update: June 29, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (4 votes)

In a landmark decision that will shape the future of the U.S. healthcare system, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold nearly all provisions under the controversial Affordable Care Act. The majority of justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, declared the law constitutional under Congress' power to tax.

What was the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act?

Affordable Care Act in California v. Texas

In a 7-2 decision, the Court dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. The Court did not reach the merits of the challenge, thereby leaving the ACA intact.

How did the Supreme Court approve and defined the ACA as constitutionally legal?

majority did so by upholding the mandate under Congress' taxing power. However, the Court also addressed the constitutionality of the individual mandate under the other two powers asserted by the federal government, the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause.

What made the Affordable Care Act constitutional?

The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision determined the constitutionality of two key substantive provisions in the ACA: the individual mandate and a requirement that states expand eligibility criteria for Medicaid coverage [2]. Individual mandate.

What was the constitutional reasoning that the Supreme Court used to uphold the Affordable Care Act?

Although the Supreme Court declared that the law could not have been upheld under an argument based on the regulatory power of Congress under the Commerce Clause, the Court declared that the legislatively-declared "penalty" was constitutional as a valid exercise of the Congressional power to tax, thus upholding the ...

Supreme Court Ruling: Affordable Care Act

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What was the effect of the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act quizlet?

What was the effect of the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act? It made neither side completely happy, but enhanced the credibility of the Court over the long term. the Federalists had "retired into the judiciary as a strong hold."

What is the argument against the Affordable Care Act?

Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.

What is the Affordable Care Act in simple terms?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive reform law, enacted in 2010, that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market. This includes many provisions that are consistent with AMA policy and holds the potential for a better health care system.

Under which constitutional power afforded to Congress was Obamacare upheld as constitutional?

Congress passed the Act pursuant to its authority under the Constitution's “Commerce Clause,” which states that Congress shall have the power to “regulate Commerce . . .

How many times has ACA been challenged?

Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, more than 2,000 legal challenges have been filed in state and federal courts contesting part or all of the ACA.

Why did the Supreme Court decide that the individual mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act is constitutional quizlet?

Why did the Supreme Court decide that the individual mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act is constitutional? Characterizing the individual mandate as a tax, the Supreme Court upheld that portion of the Affordable Care Act as a constitutional exercise of Congress' power to levy taxes.

What was the reason that the plaintiff NFIB claimed the ACA was unconstitutional?

The plaintiffs argued that: (1) the individual mandate exceeded Congress' enumerated powers under the Commerce Clause; (2) the Medicaid expansions were unconstitutionally coercive; and (3) the employer mandate impermissibly interfered with state sovereignty.

Can laws be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself.

What is the new law of the Affordable Care Act?

New Affordable Care Act rules require health plans to provide a summary of benefits and coverage, and a list of definitions, designed to make it easier for you to compare your options, and understand exactly what you are buying.

How many Supreme Court justices did Obama put in?

President Barack Obama made two successful appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States.

What factors influence the Supreme Court's decision-making practices?

A justice's decisions are influenced by how he or she defines his role as a jurist, with some justices believing strongly in judicial activism, or the need to defend individual rights and liberties, and they aim to stop actions and laws by other branches of government that they see as infringing on these rights.

What did the US Supreme Court decide about the Affordable Care Act?

The Supreme Court held that it was unconstitutional for the government to deny existing federal Medicaid funding from states that opt out. The Court determined that the ACA's Medicaid provision violates Congress's constitutional power under the Spending Clause.

Which president is associated with Affordable Care Act?

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, putting in place comprehensive reforms that improve access to affordable health coverage for everyone and protect consumers from abusive insurance company practices.

What does the 10th Amendment say about healthcare?

The Tenth Amendment states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”1 Historically, the authority for states to regulate the practice of health care comes from this Tenth Amendment “police power” ...

Who is not eligible for Obamacare?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.

How much is Obamacare a month for a single person?

Monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.

Who does not benefit from the Affordable Care Act?

Individuals with incomes exceeding 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL; $46,680 for an individual, $95,400 for a family of four) are ineligible for either Medicaid or Marketplace tax credits. This group represents 16 percent of the ineligible, uninsured population. 2.

Why is healthcare so expensive?

There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.