Russ Britt and Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch
The sweeping healthcare overhaul considered President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement was upheld Thursday by the Supreme Court, handing a critical victory to Obama as he makes a bid for reelection.
Justices voted for the most part to keep in place the 2,700-page measure requiring that all Americans be insured in an effort to begin chipping away at spiraling cost inflation in the U.S. healthcare system. The only setback for the act was the court's decision that the federal government could expand its Medicaid program as part of the law, but couldn't withhold funding for states if they chose not to participate.
The ruling sent hospital stocks soaring by near-double digit figures, with industry leader HCA Holdings Inc. jumping by 10%, along with Health Management Associates Inc. . .View Full Article