Physicians react to SCOTUS healthcare vote - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Now that the healthcare law has the support of the U.S. Supreme Court, everyone must own medical insurance or opt into the government program by 2014.

Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers said his staff was prepared either way.  

"Our plan was specifically developed to be good for our community, whether the healthcare reform passed or failed," Spillers said.  "We'd already planned to expand what we do so we can spend more time trying to get people well and get paid for keeping people well as opposed to fixing people when they get sick."

The news of the Affordable Health Care Act met mixed reviews for Huntsville residents.

Gezelle Glasgow said it could help her a lot since she is only 21 years old. 

"It allows me to stay on my parents' insurance until I am 26," Glasgow said.   

Marvelene Atchley thinks the law will cost people money that they don't have.  

"Poor people can't afford it," Atchley said.  "There are people working right now, and their heads are barely above water."

Pediatrician Dr. Pippa Abston said she's not a big fan of the law. 

"The part I am really concerned about is the ruling that we won't have a mandatory Medicaid expansion," Abston said.  "The more I think about that, the sadder I am.  Those are the people who will be left with nothing." 

Spillers said he expects a lot of changes to the law between now and 2014, and he will work with them as they come.

In the meantime, Alabama does have the option to opt out of the Medicaid portion of the law. 

"How many states are going to opt out nationwide?" Spillers said.  "I think there are a lot of things to be determined, so we are not going to overreact to the decision or change what we are doing right now."

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