So. Fla. residents speak about health care ruling

MIAMI (WSVN) -- On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld President Obama's health care overhaul, and South Florida residents are talking about the high court's decision.

Patrick Capotosto is no stranger to hospitals, and he and his family could not be happier about the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Health Care Act, also known as Obamacare. "I have something called cholesteatoma in my ear, and I had to have a couple of surgeries for it," the 17-year-old said. "The surgeries are expensive and hard to cover, especially when you're not making a lot of money."

Capotosto's mother Gerri Ann spoke about her son's battle with the ear disease when she introduced the president during a visit to South Florida, back in April. "This means so much to so many people," Gerri Ann said.

Because of Capotosto's pre-existing condition, his parents' job change almost cut him off from insurance coverage, until Congress passed Obama's reform plan.

The measure that protects minors with pre-existing conditions has already gone into effect. Gerri Ann said, "To know that Patrick couldn't be denied the surgery he needed to be whole again was extremely important to us."

However, those against the health care reform say that while the pool of insured patients will now expand, which should lower costs, there may be a downside. "What I'm afraid is going to happen is, we're now bringing 30 million more people into a broken system," said physician Dr. Jorge Rodriguez.

Those who oppose Obamacare predict that a restructuring of primary care will occur, which could result in people not being able to see their primary physician during each doctor's visit. Dr. Fernando Valverde of Florida International University said, "Additional health care providers, who did not traditionally provide health care, will come into play, i.e. nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, people that now have to be the front line of primary care."

The health care ruling will also affect small businesses. Companies that employ more than 50 people must provide insurance, and some experts worry this could sink small businesses or keep them from hiring. One business owner said, "I'm going to have to answer to government, filling out forms. Thank you, just the same. I'm more than happy to stay with the private side and let the government forms go someplace else."

Many admit that at this time, they do not know what the long-term effects of Obamacare will be. "Our overriding concern today is how the economics play out in that situation, so a lot of unknowns at this point," said Brian Dean of Jackson Memorial Health System. "We look at it as serving citizens of Miami-Dade County. Our mission is to improve their overall health."

Republicans in Congress are already saying they will immediately work to repeal the law.

To learn more about the new law, visit http://bit.ly/OFe9jo.

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