Supreme Court Justices Possibly Misunderstood Insurance Requirement In Health Care

[cal04]

Supreme Court Justices Possibly Misunderstood Insurance Requirement In Health Care Case

A possible misunderstanding about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul could cloud Supreme Court deliberations on its fate, leaving the impression that the law's insurance requirement is more onerous than it actually is.

During the recent oral arguments some of the justices and the lawyers appearing before them seemed to be under the impression that the law does not allow most consumers to buy low-cost, stripped-down insurance to satisfy its controversial coverage requirement.

In fact, the law provides for a cheaper "bronze" plan that is broadly similar to today's so-called catastrophic coverage policies for individuals, several insurance experts said.

"I think there is confusion," said Paul Keckley, health research chief for Deloitte, a major benefits consultant. "I found myself wondering how much they understood the Affordable Care Act. Several times the questions led me to wonder how much (the justices') clerks had gone back into the law in advance of the arguments."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/obamacare-supreme-court-justices_n_1417154.html?ref=politics

[emulatorloo]

1. Confusion or willful ignorance

[gordianot]

2. Could happen when you do not read the law. n/t

[rfranklin]

3. They consulted clsoely with Mitch McConnell...

Kentucky Dem Broadsides Mitch McConnell For ‘Dishonesty’ On Obamacare

An outspoken Kentucky Democrat is directing an unusually pointed attack at a member of his own delegation. And not just any member — the single biggest target.

Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) laid in to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a letter delivered last week for misleading their mutual constituents about the facts and benefits of President Obama’s health care law.

And in a follow-up interview, Yarmuth again attacked McConnell, his former ally, for putting partisan politics before representing the people of his state.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/kentucky-dem-broadsides-mitch-mcconnell-for-dishonesty-over-attacks-on-obamacare.php?ref=fpa

[mike_c]

4. and just how useful is such a "stripped" plan at achieving the real objective...

...of providing adequate access to health care to every American? It sounds to me like the only thing it achieves is meeting the legal requirements of the ACA. Meh.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. I suspect that ...

Not only do the Supremes not understand the mandate, they simply don't care.

[former9thward]

6. The so-called "bronze plan" would be worthless for most people.

It would only be useful for people who are very wealthy and can afford most routine health care events.