September 4, 2014 12:01PM 

# The D.C. Circuit Grants *En Banc* Review of *Halbig*

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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My reaction to the D.C. Circuit’s decision to grant *en banc* review of *Halbig v. Burwell* in a nutshell:

1. It is unnecessary.
2. It is unwise.
3. It is unfortunate.
4. It appears political, as would a decision to overrule *Halbig*.
5. It will likely only delay Supreme Court review.
6. *En banc* review does not necessarily mean the court will overturn *Halbig*, though it doesn’t look good.
7. I predict that even if the court overturns *Halbig*, the Obama administration will lose ground.
8. The D.C. Circuit will not have the last word.

If you want to go outside the nutshell, where I unpack all this with more words and facts and links, go [here](http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelcannon/2014/09/04/decision-to-en-banc-halbig-v-burwell-is-unwise-unfortunate-and-appears-political/).

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care) 

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