SCRANTON -- The Supreme Court's landmark ruling upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means that starting in 2014, Americans who can afford it will have to pay for health insurance or else be penalized through taxes.
"I think it should be voluntary," said one Scranton man who disagrees with the court's decision.
Michael Smith of Scranton said he cannot afford much, so he is paying for a low cost health care plan. He, too, disagrees with the government's health care reforms.
"This area is depressed enough economically you know? It's just really a bad situation all around for everyone if they're going to do something like that," said Smith.
Recent national polls showed the majority of Americans do not like the requirement to buy insurance.
"I think that it's kind of crazy because health shouldn't have a price on it, understand what I'm saying?" said Cordero Cody of Allentown, who is still covered by his mother's health insurance.
"I think it's pretty extreme. Of course, I'm lucky because I have health insurance, and I'm set because I work for a big company, but you know it's probably really hard for those people who are at poverty levels and can't afford it," said Cassandra Abernathy of Scranton.
According to the Affordable Care Act, families who are at or below the poverty line will either be eligible for Medicaid or tax credits to pay for private insurance.