Augusta - Maine's elected leaders and organizations dealing with health care will be closely watching for the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the national Affordable Care Act.

The justices on Thursday are expected to rule on President Barack Obama's health care law. It will have an impact on the presidential race, but will not be the last word on efforts in Maine and elsewhere to provide health care access to those without it.

In Maine, more than 121,000 people, or about 9.4 percent of the population, lack coverage. Numbers may rise due to Medicaid cutbacks authorized by latest state budget.

Maine's already implemented some changes included in the national law, such allowing parents to add coverage of children up to age 26 and outlawing denial of insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

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