Should you be worried that the Supreme Court will end your ACA coverage?

From our partners at Raising Women's Voices:

News about the Trump-backed lawsuit to repeal the ACA, which will be heard by the Supreme Court on November 10, has no doubt created confusion about whether the ACA will continue to exist. Moreover, Trump’s nomination of Barrett, who has openly spoken out against the ACA, to fill the seat left vacant by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death has further increased public uncertainty about the future of the ACA. That’s why it’s important to let people know that as of now, nothing has changed, and the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land.

While the lawsuit challenging the ACA will go before the court next month, no decision on it will be released until next June (the traditional time period for SCOTUS decisions to be handed down). Moreover, it is possible that SCOTUS would strike down only the individual mandate provision of the ACA, not the entire legislation. Exactly that possibility was raised prominently during Barrett’s confirmation hearing in a discussion about the “severability” of one portion of a law that is found to be unconstitutional from the remainder of the legislation, which would still stand.  

So, how should we reassure people who may be eligible for ACA coverage and encourage them to apply starting November 1? Here are some of the key messages that we want to get out for Open Enrollment: 

• The Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land. As of now, nothing has changed, and you will still be able to sign up for health coverage on HealthCare.gov on November 1. 
  
• If you lost your employer-provided health coverage, you may now qualify for coverage through Medicaid or the Marketplace. You can learn more at HealthCare.gov. 
  

• You may qualify for low-cost or even free health coverage! Most people who buy a plan on HealthCare.gov are able to receive financial assistance. Last year, it was estimated that seven out of 10 enrollees will paid $75/month or less for their health plans. An estimated one in three will pay less than $10/month. 
  
• Even if you already have a plan, and you don’t have to automatically re-enroll, COVID-19 has changed a lot of families’ health needs. You can explore other options on HealthCare.gov. 
  
• If you do buy a health plan on HealthCare.gov, your coverage will start on January 1. Be sure to pay your first premium before then to keep your health plan!