Supreme Court upholds major component of ACA

Ruling cements ACA and its optometry-friendly provisions for foreseeable future.

As members are aware, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government is able to provide subsidies for Americans purchasing health insurance in states that have a federally facilitated health insurance exchange, a major component of the Affordable Care Act (California runs its own exchange, Covered California). While other legal and legislative challenges to ACA are sure to come, this ruling appears to cement for some time ACA as the umbrella law guaranteeing specified health care coverage to virtually all.

With the conclusion of King v. Burwell, AOA/COA-backed provisions of the national health care law - including the “Harkin” provider nondiscrimination prohibition, the designation of pediatric vision care as an essential health benefit and the exemption for eyeglasses and contact lenses from a medical device excise tax - remain in full effect. These are critical tools for assuring public access to the eye health care provided by COA members.