"I think Obamacare is going to be really helpful to me and many people who I know who are in the same situation," said Rooney, who hopes that Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the law means that she'll eventually be able to get full insurance.
Jane Feustel, 28, of Southwest Center City, said that the court decision means "no more living in fear." Fuestel, who works for a local nonprofit, was denied insurance coverage in 2009 due to chronic head pain that requires regular visits to a neurologist. Starting in 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, companies can no longer turn away people like Feustel.
"Hearing the decision gave me a sense of relief and confidence that there will be a time that insurance companies can't deny me for something I can't help," she said.
Purnell Parker, 49, an unemployed banquet server from Southwest Philadelphia, has no insurance and depends on free health clinics. It's not a pleasant experience, he warned.
"Sometimes, it can be a zoo in there," said Parker, who welcomed Thursday's news. "I have serious health issues and I haven't had insurance in three years, the last time I worked. It's just been horrible."
And don't tell Deborah Hare that you think the law is unconstitutional. Hare, 51, who is unemployed and volunteers for Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., moved here from Florida to help care for her elderly mother. They both could use a hand when it comes to health-care costs.
"I think everybody deserves a chance for health care," Hare said. "What's unconstitutional about that?" n
Contact William Bender at 215-854-5255 or benderw@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @wbender99. Read his blog, "Daily Delco" at philly.com/dailydelco.
— Daily News staff writer Jan Ransom contributed to this report.
