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Local Residents, Physicians React to Affordable Care Act Ruling

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Jun 28, 2012 at 5:49 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 28, 2012 at 9:24 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- The Supreme Court's ruling that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional is a historical one. It affects each and every citizen and the doctors who treat them.

Michael Pramenko, M.D., who is the past president of the Colorado Medical Society, said, “For the population as a whole in America, it’s good, because what happens when you don’t cover people with insurance? They wait and wait and wait until they are really sick and then they go to the most expensive place to get their health care, which is an emergency room. That’s not good for the patient and it’s not good for the system.”

It will also impact hospitals, like the one Chris Thomas operates. Thomas, the CEO and president of Community Hospital, said, “We’re relieved that they made a decision so now we can start diving into the health care reform and making sure we understand what’s included.”

A main provision of the new health reform states that insurers must cover pre-existing conditions starting in 2014.

Tracy Smith, a Colorado Mesa University student, said, “With my pre-existing condition, I don’t even need extra care. It’s just that they mark me off as uninsurable because I have the condition.”

“The real meaning for patients is those folks that have a preexisting medical condition that they have not been able to get health insurance, this sets the process in place to help change that,” said Pramenko.

The reform also means young adults can stay on their parents' insurance plans until they are 26 years old.

“I have five children and three of them don’t have health insurance because they are working for employers that don’t supply it,” said Kristy Reuss, the department head for health sciences at CMU.

The new plan aims to extend health insurance coverage to the millions of people who don't have it. However, some worry the influx of patients could present a problem in the future. “Who’s going to see these folks? We are still going to have a problem with primary care physicians and mid-level providers. We need to improve the access,” said Thomas.

Pramenko questioned, “Do we need to train more primary care docs, specifically, and a few docs and some other specialties, as well as increase the number of nurse practitioners? Yes.”

Health care providers say they will work together closely as we enter this next chapter of American history.

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Disgusted said on Saturday, Jun 30 at 8:40 AM

We should be celebrating?! Surely you cannot be serious?! Americans who are poor will be the first ones punished. They must now be forced at gunpoint of ferral government to purchase coverage even if it means that their kids go without food or shelter. So many people suffer BECAUSE they have seen a doctor and it is sad that we have become a nation that readily embraces Marxism and destroys any chance the "less fortunate" had to become more fortunate.

i get it said on Friday, Jun 29 at 9:23 PM

rinos, tea party.... doesn't matter - just get this guy out of washington!!! AP.. you are only going to get career politicians because no one else wants those jobs.. like it or not

listen up! said on Friday, Jun 29 at 4:32 PM

Rinos, tea party.... doesn't matter - just get this guy out of Washington!!! AP.. you are only going to get career politicians because no one else wants those jobs.. like it or not that's what you got. Gotta vote for the challenging career politician or you are just giving it to the incumbent.

ForThePeople said on Friday, Jun 29 at 1:24 PM

Instead of saying it's not fair you have to pay for health care when you can afford it, we should be celebrating all the Americans who will no longer be punished for being poor and sick. So many people suffer because they can't see a doctor and it is sad what has become of this nation not caring for those less fortunate.

Disgusted said on Friday, Jun 29 at 10:51 AM

You really "don't get it." If I am having problems with my automobile insurance, I can shop online and compare rates and service levels from different companies. It's called "capitalism" and it works rather well. How many people are forced into a substandard health-plan because they cannot shop around? Moreover, name one thing that the government does correctly and efficiently. Just one.

Fed Up said on Friday, Jun 29 at 8:24 AM

To Don't Get It: Here are the differences: You have the choice to own and drive a car, and if you do you must be insured. How about forcing all those who DON'T own cars to buy car insurane as well..... wouldn't you think that was unreasonable ? Obamacare mandates that simply being alive is a taxable instance and the only way to avoid that condition is to die. It will also increase taxes on every medical device that you use. How about your auto insurer taxing you additionally every time you bought a part or had a repair done? Those of you that believe the law will provide you with everything you need in medical care are soon to be sadly surprised.

Don't get it said on Friday, Jun 29 at 7:12 AM

Whats the difference between mandated healthcare and mandated car insurance? We are punished by the banks and our government if we are caught without it. So if this is wrong I vote to repeal mandatory car insurance.

Depressed said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 7:26 PM

WE ARE SO SCREWED!

AmericanPatriot. said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 6:17 PM

Obamacare had its origin in Romneycare and now you will be told electing Romney is the answer and just to be safe you’ll be told to vote for the RINO Tipton; both milquetoast moderates. If you’re conservative how exactly is voting for the lesser of two evils working out for you? Do your own homework. Don’t fall prey to the new fake TEA Party in town. They are not conservative or TEA Party, they’re RINOs. They’re the ones that split the conservative Republican vote in the last election. Don’t vote for the incumbent. Don’t vote for either party’s anointed candidate and Don’t vote for the career politicians. American Patriot (co-founder, GJResult.Tea Party)

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