In 5-4 decision, Supreme Court rules for the uninsured by Ezra Klein

And, to be sure, it’s all those things. But those stories don’t capture the effect this decision will have on ordinary Americans.

The individual mandate, by bringing healthy people into the insurance market and lowering premiums, means health insurance for between 12.5 million and 24 million more Americans than if the mandate was struck down. And as Kennedy said in his dissent that the conservatives on the Court believed the entire law should have been invalidated, it means health insurance for 33 million more Americans than if Kennedy and the conservatives had their way. 

Those are big numbers, But behind them are real people. People like Eric Richter.