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Locals react to news of major health care decision

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Posted 4:37 PM 6/28/2012 : Locals react to news of major health care decision

TUCSON - Today's ruling on the individual mandate will have a nationwide impact. Here in Southern Arizona, patients, doctors and business owners are trying to figure out what it means for them.

Tony Enriquez, a patient, whose wife was visiting the doctor today at "Quality of Life Research and Medical Center," says he's happy the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the mandate.

"I think it's going to be good for the country and for people who don't have insurance."

However, not everyone feels the same.

Theresa Algots, another patient, doesn't like the idea that government is getting more involved in health care.

"It's concerning that the government is kind of now in charge of something else that they weren't before."

Joe Higgins, the Chief Operating Officer of the Medical and Research Center, is unsure how the new Act will fully impact him and his business.

"We're below the threshold of fifty employees and that seems to be where that mandatory tax comes into play if you don't have insurance. So the question becomes, do we hire that fiftieth employee, and what does that mean for my bottom line?"

From a health care personnel standpoint, he also believes there may have been a better way.

"I think we've added a whole series of layers of bureaucracy that will be analyzing every aspect of the care that is received, so I think the free market decision where doctors and patients are closer together is a better solution."

Dr. Alan Rogers, the President of the Pima County Medical Society, disagrees. He believes it's a step in the right direction for everyone in Southern Arizona.

"I think this ruling is a big landmark and it's going to change the entire face of health care in this country. I think this is a move to providing more equitable care for everybody and it will improve a lot of problems with our current health care system."

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