What happens if the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act?

While republicans have objected to healthcare reform, they have also admitted that something needs to be done to contain skyrocketing medical costs.

The GOP solution to the healthcare crisis may be the same as their solution to rising Medicare costs; which is to eventually get phase out the program completely and turn it into a voucher system.

Republicans have been clamoring to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, since the law was passed in 2010. But what would the GOP replace it with?

There are aspects of the Affordable Care Act that clearly benefits consumers. As of July of 2011, insurance companies could no longer deny coverage because of preexisting conditions. Coverage is also now available for children attending college, as part of the parents' policy.
If the Supreme Court decides to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, millions of Americans will be effected.

"The more time and money that states invest in implementing the Affordable Care Act and the more patient benefits that kick in, the harder the law becomes to dismantle," according to Roll Call.

As the American population ages, healthcare becomes more than access to doctors. It can mean the difference between life and death.

Voters will be making choices in November 2012 that could change more than the seats in congress. 

The future of how Americans live and die may be decided by the next group of politicians that control the purse strings in Washington, D.C. However, the Supreme Court could change that as well, if they decide to overrule the Affordable Care Act health care law that was passed by Congress.

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