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Supreme Court of the United States

Outside of Supreme Court, celebration ensues after Obamacare decision

Jennifer Calfas, Tyler Pager, and Erin A Raftery
USA TODAY
Supporters of the Affordable Care Act rally outside the Supreme Court on June 25, 2015.

WASHINGTON — Gwen Jackson stepped out of the Supreme Court on Thursday morning to a sea of people chanting "ACA is here to stay." As she descended the steps of the court, she threw her fist in the air and joined those chanting outside.

The Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — helped fund an extensive jaw surgery for Jackson's husband, so the court's decision in support of the landmark health care law was emotional for Jackson.

"We had to be quiet (in the courtroom), but inside I was jumping up and down. When I came outside, I just said 'Yes!' " Jackson, a Sugar Land, Texas native, told USA TODAY. "I have never experienced anything like this in my life."

The Supreme Court sided with Obamacare on Thursday for the second time in three years. The justices ruled in a 6-3 opinion that insurance subsidies from the law can be offered in both state and federal marketplaces. A decision against Obamacare could have threatened the health care coverage of 6.4 million Americans in 34 states.

When the decision was released, around 100 people at the steps of the Supreme Court cheered and continued chanting in celebration. The Obamacare supporters updated posters with numbers of those affected by the decision in each of the 34 states with stickers reading "still covered."

Benton Strong, associate director of communications at the Center for American Progress, spoke on behalf of some of the supporters outside the court.

"This is a big day," Strong said as supporters chanted in the background. "I'm excited, but I think that some people who now continue to have access to affordable health care are really excited."

Strong said the next steps for the health care law are expansion and outreach to Americans who qualify for the tax credit.

Neal Katyal, who served as solicitor general from May 2010 to June 2011 succeeding Justice Elena Kagan after her court appointment, is a prominent supporter and advocate of the health care law. After the decision Thursday, he noted the significance of the decision passing through a predominantly "Republican court."

"(It is) a resounding victory for the president, for Congress and for the American people," he said.

Ron Pollack, the founding executive director of Families USA, an organization focused on achieving affordable health care across the U.S., voiced his support of the court's decision and echoed Strong's emphasis on focusing on the next steps.

"This law is now a stable part of America's health care system," Pollack said at the steps of the court. "Now, those of us who supported health reform and support the Affordable Care Act will do what we can to continue to implement it as effectively as possible."

The parade of Obamacare supporters standing at the court's steps with an array of signs included many from different backgrounds who have benefited from the implementation of the law.

Supporters of the Affordable Care Act chant outside of the Supreme Court on Thursday after the court issued a decision in favor of the landmark health care law.

For Pete Haviland-Eduah, a graduate student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Obamacare provided needed support several years ago.

"When I was using the ACA, it was at a point in time when I was really concerned; I didn't know what I was going to do about my health care," Haviland-Eduah said. "But, fortunately, because of President Obama, it filled a gap for me that I really needed."

Tracy Wirtanen, the founder of the Littlest Tumor Foundation in Appleton, Wis., brought her children with her to the Supreme Court on Thursday. She said the decision was a victory for her son, Sami, who has a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis. Her foundation aims to raise awareness about the disorder.

"We've always been behind the ACA because we think children that have genetic disorders and medical health issues should never be denied coverage," Wirtanen said.

Though the majority of people outside the court supported the ruling, some came to voice their opposition to the law.

"Obamacare has to be repealed because Obamacare is the federal takeover of a health care system," said Twila Brase, a nurse and president of Citizens' Council for Health Freedom. "I know what it's like to take care of patients. I know I don't want third parties telling me how to (take) care of a patient. The fact that they won at the Supreme Court doesn't mean they have to win at the end of the day."

Brase said the decision violates the "rule of law" because the ACA says subsidies could only come out of a state-based exchange.

However, for supporters of Obamacare, the decision reignites an ongoing effort to enroll more Americans in the program.

"If you are eligible and you have not enrolled, in the next enrollment period, come enroll and get the subsidies," said Pollack of Families USA. "I think we're going to have a huge increase in the number of people who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act."

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