Local family reacts to Supreme Court's ruling on healthcare reform

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - It's a divisive issue, but proponents the Affordable Care Act praise how it will provide insurance to millions of Americans who otherwise wouldn't have been able to get it. Also, it will keep people covered no matter their health history.

Local 5 first introduced you to the Gorton family of back in March during the Supreme Court's hearing on the Affordable Care Act. Amelia Gorton, 8, was diagnosed with cancer as a toddler. She is now cancer free, and her parents are happy the Court's decision means she won't be penalized for something she can't control.

"The fact that Amelia, years down the road," explained her father Tim. She'll be able to have healthcare for herself, have insurance coverage without them looking at the fact that she had cancer when she was two."

Amelia went through 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy to treat her leukemia. A majority of her care was covered by insurance, and her parents are thankful that now,  Amelia cannot be denied coverage due to her health history. Starting in 2014, insurance plans can't deny people because of pre-existing conditions.

"It's a big load off us to know that's not going to be an issue in her life," added Tim.

He is the president of Families of Children With Cancer, a local non-profit support organization. Tim said another key component to health care reform for families dealing with the disease is that it prohibits lifetime limits on how many benefits someone can receive from an insurance company.

"That will protect her years down the road if something should occur that came from the treatment that she had," said Amelia's mom, Mary.

"There are a lot of other families that we know that are in Families of Children with Cancer that have had multiple things that have happened," said Tim. "So to not have that cap on them is huge too."

While the Gorton's admit they don't agree with everything included in the law, they said it helps brighten the future for their little girl.