Justice Scalia's death could reshape health policy. Here's how.

RP Members what are your thoughts? Should we wait for a new POTUS? What are your thoughts on these issues going before the Supreme Court and do they affect veterans or the military?

Cases on abortion, ACA are on the docket

The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday could affect the outcome of several cases this term—including a challenge to public-sector unions' power that the country's largest RN union says could pose a "significant threat to public health, safety, and quality of life."

Scalia's passing means the court will have eight justices for the time being. While President Obama says he will nominate a replacement "in due time," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) says the "vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president."

In the meantime, the Supreme Court will likely split 4-4 on some decisions. In those cases, the justices have two main options. They could:

Affirm the lower court's ruling—which would only apply to the areas under that court's jurisdiction—without setting Supreme Court precedent; or
Schedule a case for re-argument during the next term, which begins in October.
For several health care-related cases, the outcome could now be different than if Scalia was still on the bench—and in some instances could lead to different rules in different parts of the country.

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