Some Mich. residents happy health care law upheld - WNEM TV 5

By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN

Associated Press

Sharon Donovan is excited she'll likely be able to afford health insurance now that the heart of the federal health care overhaul has been largely upheld.

The 53-year-old Ann Arbor artist is among moderate-income Americans eligible for a government subsidy to help them buy health insurance after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

More Michigan residents also will be covered by Medicaid.

Michigan will have to set up a website where individuals and small business owners could comparison shop for insurance starting in 2014.

It may have to partner with the federal government because time's running out to set up its own health insurance exchange.

Ronald Katz of Huntington Woods says he's pleased his 21-year-old son now will be able to remain on his health insurance until he's 26.

Meanwhile, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce says the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to largely uphold the federal health care overhaul is "a sad day."

Chamber Senior Vice President Jim Holcomb said in a statement Thursday that he remains hopeful "the new Congress will work to repeal and replace the law with measures to control costs and improve quality."

Among Michigan's congressional members, Democrats such as Rep. Sander Levin of Royal Oak applauded the decision while Republicans such as Rep. Dave Camp of Midland objected to it.

Sixty-year-old retiree Mark Derrick of Livonia says he's afraid the law might cause some companies to cut back on the health care coverage they offer employees. Others welcomed the decision.

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association says hospitals are reviewing the ruling.

Here is a look at where Michigan stands on implementing President Barack Obama's federal health care overhaul, which the Supreme Court ruled Thursday can go forward:

NUMBER OF UNINSURED: 1.27 million Michigan residents are uninsured, about 13 percent of the population.

WHERE THE STATE STANDS: The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has been working to set up an online health insurance marketplace, but has had limited success because House Republicans have refused to let it use $9.8 million in federal planning money. Because of looming federal deadlines to have the health insurance exchange in place, state officials have been planning for a state-run exchange while also talking to federal officials about partnering with a federal exchange where the state handles just some responsibilities, such as customer service.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

A look at the federal health care law in Michigan: