Supreme Court - Healthcare Ruling This Week (Thurs?)

This week is a big one for Federal healthcare reform (ACA), with the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of major provisions of the legislation.   As you know, Transform WI is funded through the Prevention & Public Health Fund established through the ACA.  

Regardless of the outcome, it's a great opportunity for us to brush up on our knowledge of the Prevention & Public Health Fund and the Supreme Court itself.

Supreme Court refresher:

• The Supreme Court has 9 justices (1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices)
• The number is set by Congress.
• Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan
• Six justices must vote, with a simple majority ruling
• Justicies can issue majority and minority opinions if the case isn't unanimous
• The court rules on about 100-150 cases per year
• Cases reach the court on appeal from lower courts
• The Supreme Court tends to interpret an existing law, clarify the intent of Congress when passing legislation, or rule whether legislation or acts by the Executive are constitutional.

Potential outcomes of the healthcare ruling include: 

1. The act is upheld in its entirety.  
2. The act is struck down in its entirety.
3. Individual mandate is struck down.
4. The Medicaid expansion is struck down.

Some links about the Prevention & Public Health Fund:

• APHA REport: ACA’s prevention fund a critical investment in health of communities
• Bending the Obesity Cost Curve
• Prevention & Public Health Fund Background
• Health Policy Brief: Prevention & Public Health Fund
• Funding Allocations from Prevention & Public Health Fund (FFY11)
• Prevention Institute: Federal Prevention & Community Initiatives
• APHA Fact Sheet

What questions do you have?