EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
So what do some local citizens in the medical field think about the Supreme Courts health care decision??
In 2014, there will be a Medicaid expansion, meaning clinics and hospitals must except more payments from the government, and that usually means less money.
Thursday afternoon, 14 News spoke with the CEO of St. Mary's, Tim Flesh.
As you can imagine, he says they've been preparing for the impact of this health care reform for a while now.
Thursday's decision to uphold the act, including that individual mandate, means hospitals will likely see an increase in patients seeking primary care.
St. Mary's tells 14 News they've been working to expand their primary care by opening an echo clinic on their campus, as well as working with the EVSC to open a clinic at the Glenwood Academy.
Flesh says they're also looking at the roles of nurse practioners and physicians assistants to see how they can best use their services.
But overall, he says Thursday's decision doesn't mean any drastic changes for them.
"Keeps us on the same path. Really doesn't change our path, which is to prepare for the insurance exchanges and to continue to work on how do we expand our primary care base for the expanded coverage and access that people will have as a result of having access to insurance through the exchanges," Flesh said.
Several major health groups support Thursday's decision.
They include the American Heart Association, March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society.
They released a statement calling the decision a victory for patients.
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St. Mary's tells 14 News they've been working to expand their primary care by opening an echo clinic on their campus.
