Washington California has put a lot of work into preparing for President Barack Obama's health care reform law to take full effect in 2014.

And because it has the highest population of any state, it would see billions in new federal dollars flowing its way if that happens, especially to its Medicaid program, health care analysts say.

But some analysts, as well as conservatives in the state's congressional delegation, contend California and the nation would be better off in the long run if it doesn't take full effect.

And they may get their wish.

Any time now, the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, a law designed to expand health insurance to more Americans and contain costs throughout the health care system.

The court's 2011-2012 term ends this month.

Because of the tone of Supreme Court justices' questions during oral arguments in March, innumerable pundits and court watchers are expecting the law to be struck down either in part or in full.

There is a lot riding on the decision of the court, both (fiscally) and in terms of human impact, said Marian Mulkey of the California HealthCare Foundation, a research organization.

There are 8.2 million uninsured Californians in a given year and as a result, Californians live sicker, die younger, and are one emergency away from financial ruin, the advocacy group California Health Access wrote in a recent report.

More than one in five Californians lack coverage sometime during the year.

Originally posted here:

California awaits key health care ruling