Hoosiers with pre-existing conditions applaud Court ruling - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Supreme Court ruling on the health care law is seen as good news for the millions of Americans with pre-existing health conditions. They can no longer be denied coverage.

Lori Baxter of Grant County has been awaiting the ruling with much trepidation.

"We were told we were uninsurable and the only hope for us was Obamacare or Medicare and Medicare is 9 and 11 years away for us," Baxter said.

After hearing about the ruling, Baxter was feeling better, hopeful that she and her husband Joe, will once again be among the insured.

"I had health insurance for 53 of 54 years and my husband for 55 of 56 years. Never ever did we think we'd be put in this situation," she said.

Last year, both Lori and Joe lost their jobs, Lori as a show choir director in Blackford County. With her job, Lori also lost her health insurance. Making matters worse, both she and her husband have pre-existing conditions. She says they've worked hard to stay healthy.

"What we're living on is the health insurance of faith, but it's still very scary," Lori said. "If we end up in the hospital tomorrow, we could be bankrupt."

Watching coverage of the ruling, Lori was encouraged, but still a bit wary.

"If we can get insurance, it will have to be affordable," she said. "It's going to have to be less than $500 a month."

While her husband found a part-time job washing dishes, Lori said, "I'm constantly looking for a teaching job."

In the process, the teacher has learned some important life lessons.

"I learned the last year, don't go to the doctor unless you have to," she said. "People take health care for granted. I know I did."

Lori notes she did have COBRA coverage after losing her job, but it was more than $1,000 a month. With both she and her husband unemployed, they just couldn't afford it.