How the health care law affects ...
-- Employed and single
Currently: Health but cannot afford coverage
Under the law: He could purchase health insurance through the exchange, an open marketplace where insurance companies will offer coverage plans. If his income is below $46,000, he would qualify for a federal premium subsidy.
-- Couple with high out-of-pocket expenses
Currently: Limited insurance coverage through employer
Under the law: Their out-of-pocket costs will probably not change. Because the premium for the employer coverage the couple has does not exceed 9.5 percent of their income, they will not be eligible for a subsidy through the exchange
-- Family with small business
Currently: Can afford coverage for themselves but not employees
Under the law: If they purchase coverage for their employees through the exchange, they will be eligible for a subsidy. They could offer employees coverage through the exchange, and would be eligible for a two-year tax credit of up to 50 percent of the costs.
-- Owner of small business with fewer than 50 employees
Currently: Can afford coverage for his employees
Under the law: He could continue to offer his employees the current insurance. Any changes he makes would have to include a comprehensive set of benefits, certain preventive services with no cost-sharing and a $2,000 limit on deductibles. He could purchase insurance through the exchange, which may be cheaper. Because he has fewer than 50 employees, he has the option of dropping the coverage.
-- Single with pre-existing condition
Currently: Has full-time job that does not offer insurance
Under the law: She can purchase insurance through the exchange. With a subsidy, her premium will be about $250 a month. Her coverage also will likely have a substantial deductible. Between now and 2014, she could be eligible for support through a pre-existing condition insurance plan.
-- Unemployed and uninsured
Currently: Faces significant medical bills.
Under the law: With income below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, he would be eligible for Medicaid and would receive benefits, comparable to those available through the exchange. Any premiums and copayments would be nominal.
States have work to do
Where do Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee stand on implementing the federal health care overhaul?
ALABAMA
-- Number of uninsured: 720,000 residents, or about 15.4 percent of population
-- Where the state stands: Republican Gov. Robert Bentley, a physician, created a commission in 2011 to recommend a plan for a health insurance exchange, but he successfully opposed efforts by some legislators to enact one in May. Critics said the bill would have limited the exchange to companies operating statewide, which is one at this point. Bentley said it was premature to act before the Supreme Court ruled
-- What happens now: Bentley said he will have to study the ruling before deciding what to do about an exchange.
GEORGIA
-- Number of uninsured: 1,905,000 residents, or 19 percent of population
-- Where the state stands: Georgia has not implemented the health care exchanges. State lawmakers have introduced bills that would either allow or hinder implementation of the law, though none have passed
-- What happens now: Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, opposes the health care overhaul and voted against it while a congressman. But Deal has said he would prefer that Georgia authorities, not the federal government, implement the exchanges.
TENNESSEE
-- Number of uninsured: About 930,000 residents, or 15 percent of population
-- Where the state stands: Tennessee has laid the groundwork for a health insurance exchange but would have to wait until the Legislature returns in January to complete it
-- What happens now: Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says the state is prepared to implement the requirements of the health care law, despite his concerns about the cost. The state has kept more than $200 million of surplus revenues in reserve to help defray those costs.
