On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear King v. Burwell — a lawsuit challenging subsidies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In preparation, governors of states that could be affected by the decision are bracing themselves for the outcome, according to a Bloomberg report.
Governors from across the nation recently came together at the annual National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., and the future of health insurance subsidies was a major topic of discussion.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), chairman of the NGA, told Bloomberg there is a lot of uncertainty around the topic. "I don't think anyone understands exactly what the alternatives are, depending on how the ruling comes," he said.
For instance, Gov. Hickenlooper said governors are exploring whether states that have established their own exchanges can cover residents of states that did not.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) opted not to establish a state marketplace, and supports subsidies being blocked. "There's an old saying that you can't beat a program without a program, and we're going to be working closely with members of Congress and governors around the country to have an alternative ready if the Supreme Court makes the right decision," he told Bloomberg.
More articles on health insurance subsidies:
HCA, insurance groups and others weigh in on PPACA subsidies
Most Americans want subsidies to survive in all states
Republicans will not support preserving subsidies