LAWTON, Okla_The State of Oklahoma has strongly
opposed President Obama's healthcare law from the start. Lawmakers rejected $54
million in federal funding last April to create an online health insurance
marketplace and then decided to wait on the Supreme Court's ruling.
It is very
clear that many Lawton
residents are not riding the fence on this issue. They want to know how this law will affect
them financially and if these types of laws will become more common in our
country.
Today's Supreme
Court ruling upheld key parts of the president's controversial healthcare law including
the individual mandate to buy insurance or face a fine. The decision has caused a firestorm of both
triumph and anger.
"I think
that it will be a good thing in the long run for everyone to be insured. The
consequences for not having insurance may be a little harsh initially but
medical costs are going up and I think with everyone having it should go down
eventually," Marketta Jones said.
"I am
against it. I think the less government we can have the better, the more
government is involved in all of our daily lives the worst it could be. This is
just one more step in that direction of the government taking over everything,"
Sherri Poolaw said.
Some say they
are worried about the financial burden purchasing insurance may have on them.
"People
can't afford it today. How are they going to afford it in the future? It's
expensive that's why a lot of people don't have it," Wanda Olson said.
Whether they
are for the law or against it, all agree that something needed to be done about
America's
healthcare system.
"I am for
Romney because he has more of a handle on business and that's what healthcare
is, it's a business. That's why it is in such bad shape because of the way its
being ran. For me it's another reason not to vote for Obama," Poolaw said.
"Other
countries like in Europe they have free
medical care for everyone. Here, ours is not free, most of the working class
pays for those who do not have it. So, I think in the long run it will be okay,"
Jones said.
A lot of residents said they feel that this decision is going to be a
major issue during the November elections. They say it's so controversial it
could cost the President the White House.
