Talk radio talks healthcare ruling

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling over health care reform, residents from across northwest Florida are reacting to the news.

Jeff Knox is a news anchor for News Radio 1620.

He said they’ve been hearing from residents throughout the area and so far, the majority consensus of the law has been negative.

“Because this affects everyone, people have some pretty strong feelings about it. Here in the panhandle where people vote more conservative, many people don’t want another tax. They don’t want to be told what to do and they don’t want a mandate,” said Knox.

Knox said they’ve received a wide range of calls on the issue since before Obama even took office.

“I feel that the government’s ability to tax people who don’t have health insurance sets a bad precedent and gives them too much ability to run people’s lives,” said a station listener.

Another station caller agreed.

“Basically, they’ve taken away our freedom of choice, and then what good is our constitution,” the caller said.

But Knox said they have also had a number of callers voicing their support.

“I like it because I can stay on my parents insurance until I’m 26, which is great because I’ll be in college for 6 years. It helps out my cause a lot,” said one listener.

One caller said he would be open to the law.

“I’m cautiously optimistic about it. It sounds good in theory. I’d like to see how it works out,” said the caller.

Knox said a number of people around the area tend to be confused by the new law.

“They don’t necessarily know how it will play out, and much of it is fear of the unknown. Most of the calls seem to ask ‘Why is this forced on me? It’s not perfect.’ But the other side says that it’s a good first step,” Knox said.

The Republican Party has adamantly stated its plan to try and repeal the law as soon as possible.