What does the health care law mean for you? - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

With the U.S. Supreme Court upholding Obama's health care law, the government's massive health reforms will move forward. But what does this mean for you?

About 80 percent of Georgians have health insurance. However, almost 2 million do not. Many of them don't know how they're going to pay for it. No matter where you stand, Thursday's Supreme Court ruling will affect you.

If you've got health insurance, there are no big changes for now. But they are coming: full coverage for preventive care, no more lifetime caps, no more sky-high premiums if you have health problems, and parents can cover their kids to age 26.
    
Tiffany Harris thinks the law is fair, but does have reservations.

"It's fair. I don't think it's over yet.  But I think long-term, I think it's going to have some changes because some people may not be able to afford it," said Tiffany Harris.

If you know you need coverage, but can't pay for it, you may qualify for a government tax break. If your income is low enough, it may cover your full premium. If you're in the middle income bracket, you may have to bite the bullet and pay the full price for coverage.

"As far as I'm concerned, I can afford the health care insurance, I'm one of the lucky ones, but there are plenty of people out there that can't," said Bruce Marling, who is self-employed.

If your company doesn't offer coverage, or you buy it yourself, help is coming. By 2014, states will offer insurance exchanges that could give you competitive prices on policies.

Though the government will soon mandate coverage, Bob Ball is wondering if the feds can hold up their end of the deal.

"They have a poor track record of things they've been involved with turning out not so well," said Ball.

Georgians have about 18 months to find health coverage. By 2014, if they don't have it, they will have to pay a penalty of several hundred dollars each year at tax time.