The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday upheld the legality of much of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, but the question locally is, "does anybody care?"
"It doesn't affect me," said George Ulmer, of Williamsport.
Ulmer said he receives health care through the Veterans Administration, so he has paid no attention to the health care debate.
Article Photos
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caption / Abstract: President Barack Obama waves as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 28, 2012, before boarding the Marine One helicopter. Obama was traveling to Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD., to visit with members of the military. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
"I don't know anything about it," said Gayle Chilson, of Cogan Station. "I've not listened to it. I've not paid any attention to it."
Several other people approached by the Sun-Gazette echoed the same sentiments.
"I don't really have any knowledge of it," said Anthony Gorten, of DuBoistown. Gorten said he has health insurance coverage.
"I've never really delved too deeply into it," said Barry Davis Jr., of Williamsport. "I think everybody should have access to health care, but I don't know the particulars of 'Obamacare.' "
"I don't know much about it," said Kassie Kenton, of Williamsport.
Kenton said she does not have health insurance and that worries her.
"I can't afford it," she said. "('Obamacare') might be a way to get it, but I can't comment specifically about his plan. If it would help me get (health insurance), I would be for it."
Davis also said he does not have health insurance but chooses instead to live a healthy lifestyle that he hopes will prevent him from needing medical care.
Two men exiting the James V. Brown Library were asked their opinions about the ruling.
One said he worked too much to stay on top of current events, while the other said he opposed the president's attempts to undermine the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
Ike Bartley, of Williamsport, said he opposes the plan.
"I don't agree with 'Obamacare,' " Bartley said. "I think it should stay the way it is. People who don't have the money to pay for their own health care should get a job."
John Secora, of Old Lycoming Township, also said he opposes the plan.
"I don't think he's really thinking of us - the working guys," Secora said, adding that he has health insurance, "and I pay out the (expletive) for it."
In spite of his lack of knowledge about the plan, Davis, a Democrat, said he approves of the Supreme Court ruling.
"I notice a lot of Republicans complaining, so it can't be too bad," he said.
Shawn Newcomer, of Williamsport, said the ruling is a clear defeat for Republicans who have tried to kill "Obamacare."
However, whether it actually will benefit anyone remains to be seen, Newcomer said.
"I think (the ruling) is a victory for Obama," he said. "Whether his plan will help us, only time will tell."
Robert Lewis, of Williamsport, said the party politics surrounding the health care debate is a symptom of a bigger problem in the country. Political partisanship "is poisoning everything" and preventing any meaningful policies from being implemented, Lewis said.
Lewis said he works multiple jobs, yet still cannot afford health insurance.
Eddie Kiersnowski, who was working at a downtown business, said those who claim "Obamacare" is a form of socialism do not understand what socialism is.
"If it were socialism, we wouldn't have to pay for it directly," he said. "With 'Obamacare,' you have to pay for it, to my understanding, but leave it to the masses to gripe about things they don't understand."
