Health-Care Ruling: Who Wins, Who Loses

Its not just the Obama Administration that has so much at stake over the Supreme Courts looming decision over the constitutionality of health-care reform.

Don't forget the rest of America.

Pretty much every industry has been in a holding pattern, waiting to see what the court rules, says Joel Ario, managing director of Manatt Health Solutions. The legislation touches every significant part of the health-care world; health care is 20% of the economy, and how the court rules can significantly alter each part for better or worse.

Americans spend close to $2.7 trillion on medical treatments each year, and The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act significantly alters the health-care landscape. The law mandates nearly everyone have insurance by 2014 or face a fine, expands Medicaid eligibility and reforms the insurance industry.

The legislation was signed into law in March 2010, and the Supreme Court has been mulling its decision since mid-March, but companies have been steadily implementing provisions to come into compliance.

Every state except Utah has taken millions of dollars to modernize Medicaid and build exchanges. No state isnt actively moving forward with this reform, its just been happening quietly, says Ario.

The sweeping reform has dominated the political landscape and campaign trail, but in reality, these players arent the major stakeholders. Experts expect the days following the decision to be dominated by political rhetoric, but the real action and telling signs of what happens next will come from within the industry. So, with the high court's ruling imminent, here are a handful of scenarios:

If the court rules the Patient Affordability Act constitutional:

Winners:

Health Insurance Companies: In the long term, this industry will see an influx of new, healthy patients and a steady revenue stream to help balance the cost of the mandate.

See the rest here:

Health-Care Ruling: Who Wins, Who Loses

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