By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
CRANBURY – As many people know, the Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama’s health care reform bill in a 5-4 decision on June 28. There is much controversy regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and whether or not its individual mandate is constitutional.
According to the government’s website for the health care reform bill, around 54 million people will not be charged for preventative services, 3.6 million seniors will save about $2.1 billion for prescription drugs, 2.5 million young adults will be able to say on their parents’ health care plan until they are 26, and around 50,000 uninsured people with pre-existing conditions will gain access to health care.
”If you’re one of the 30 million Americans who don’t yet have health insurance, starting in 2014 this law will offer you an array of quality, affordable, private health insurance plans to choose from,” President Obama said in his address to the nation on June 28.
But Richard Kay, a health insurance broker with Health Insurance Authority in Plainsboro, doesn’t believe that the health care bill will lower the cost of insurance.
”As a health insurance broker for the last 10 years, I have seen prices rise single and double digits each year. There gets to a point where the average person or company cannot afford it any longer,” Mr. Kay said. “The insurance companies have been cutting our commissions as well. They are trying to trim everywhere to pay for these extras that Obamacare is mandating that they have to provide.”
Mr. Kay pointed out that the advancement in medical technology is extremely expensive and people are living longer than they did even a few years ago.
”Health insurance for the average person is very complicated to understand and most of the time will need the experience of a health insurance broker,” Mr. Kay said. “Adding all these extra services on the pro side will eventually add to more cost. So either the government will have to raise taxes or the health insurance plans will have to go up in cost.”
While Mr. Kay may disagree health care reform will lower costs, he does agree there are benefits to the bill, including no caps on medical coverage, people with pre-existing conditions receiving coverage, and children staying on their parents’ plan.
Many residents are reluctant to express their opinion on the bill, but several have the same views as Mr. Kay when it comes to the benefits of the bill.
Former Cranbury resident Kathy Coyle does not believe that the bill will affect her in any significant way. She receives health insurance through her job at CNA, a commercial insurance company, and is single with no children, so she does not have to worry whether or not they are covered.
”I think it’s a great idea. I think everybody should have medical insurance,” Ms. Coyle said. “What kills me is that the people who don’t have medical insurance should be charged less than the people who do have medical insurance, but it’s just the opposite. They pay two to three times as much.”
Jane Fenton, a teacher at the Middlesex County Vo-tech School, believes she is lucky. As a teacher of 36 years, she is provided health care through the school district and feels that everyone is entitled to health insurance, but is concerned that it will affect her through taxes and how the government is going to pay for it.
”We pay a school tax, 90 percent of what our taxes are and we don’t have children, so we’re paying for that. Are we going to have to pay for the additional health care?”
”The bottom line is, if you get sick and don’t have insurance, somebody is paying for it,” Ms. Coyle said. “It’s for the betterment of the community and for the betterment of the country.”
As seniors and retirees, the bill affects Barbara and Arthur Segal of Monroe Township. Her annual physical will now be paid for under the Affordable Care Act along with many other preventative services.
”It’s the morally right thing to do,” Mr. Segal said, comments echoing President Obama’s words. “Everyone in this country should be entitled to good health.”
Several Main Street businesses declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s ruling.
”Owning a business and talking about politics is the kiss of death,” said George Nikitiades, manager of Teddy’s Luncheonette on Main Street and Claire Moore, owner of Charmed by Claire, said she made a point to not discuss politics or religion.
But they are not the only ones that are tight-lipped about the high court’s decision.
Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Home Care Assistance, Kathryn Zakskorn said that their company was not providing comment at this time regarding the Affordable Care Act.

