SOUTH BEND--- While the new healthcare law keeps costs in check and insures more Americans, leaders from Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center believe people really don't understand what the law really means.
For years, northern Indiana healthcare leaders believe there have been problems with your healthcare, particularly the way doctors and hospitals are paid.
"Fee for service guarantees more tests, more treatment, more procedures, more of absolutely everything," said Phil Newbold, CEO Beacon Health System.
Newbold said it's not sustainable, and the costs are out of control.
It's one of the reasons he and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center CEO Al Gutierrez are happy with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the President's new healthcare law.
Not everyone agrees.
On our WSBT News Facebook page, we received comments critical of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Laura said: "When the government makes decisions for you, that's not called democracy. Great, we all have to have health care, but no one said it would be any more affordable than it is now."
Scott says: "What a sad day for those who can not afford to buy insurance."
"There's three components when dealing with government policy," said Gutierrez. "There's content, emotion and commitment. The emotional conversation has dominated the national conversation."
While people are not happy with healthcare costs, Newbold said people are very happy with their doctors and hospitals.
"There's a lot of fear around -- Will I be able to go to my primary care physician and will the kids see the pediatrician?," said Newbold.
Keeping costs in check is not the only benefit.
The new healthcare law will also mean more Americans will be insured.
You won't be excluded for pre-existing conditions.
Young adults under age 26 will be insured under their parent's plan.
Seniors will get more affordable medications.
"We believe this is a positive move forward for many uninsured in South Bend," said Gutierrez.
