In the News

How the Koch Brothers could end Obamacare as we know it

Mar 15, 2015

Days ago, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of King v. Burwell. The plaintiffs in this case are pushing a dubious argument to attack the Affordable Care Act, but the conservative majority on the Supreme Court could very well go along with it.

What’s at stake? Millions of Americans live in states that did not set up their own Health Insurance Marketplaces. Instead, they use Healthcare.gov to purchase health insurance using tax credits available to low and middle-income Americans.

By distorting the clear text of the law, the plaintiffs would have the Supreme Court invalidate tax credits for those who purchase health insurance through Healthcare.gov. In short, it would eviscerate the “affordable” pillar of the Affordable Care Act.

How did we get here? Let’s follow the money to see why this case is moving forward:

Who’s backing the plaintiffs in this case? An obscure Washington think tank called the Competitive Enterprise Institute is, in their own words, “coordinating and funding” the case against Obamacare.

Who’s funding the Competitive Enterprise Institute? None other than Charles and David Koch — the Koch Brothers.

We can’t say we’re surprised. But, we’re doing everything we can to shed light on their plan to take affordable health care away from millions of Americans.