How The Healthcare Ruling Affects You - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision about healthcare Thursday that could affect every single American.

By a five-to-four margin, the justices upheld President Barack Obama's historic healthcare overhaul.

The most controversial part of the law, the so-called individual mandate will require every American to buy health insurance by 2014 or pay a fine. That fine was the big sticking point for critics of the law. But the high court ruled the fine can be considered a tax, so it's constitutional.

Justices did, however, strike down a part of the law that threatened to cut all Medicaid funding for states that refuse to participate in an expansion of the program.

So, what does the high court's healthcare decision mean to you? Two local families discussed with us Thursday night how the ruling will affect them.

The McKeever family of Glassboro, N.J., has employer-paid insurance. But they say it is a relief to know that their 12-year-old son, Kyle, who suffers from a genetic nerve disorder, would not be denied coverage if the family ever changes insurance plans because now there are no pre-existing condition limitations.

Janine Murphy, of Southwest Philly has similar concerns. Her 4-year-old son suffers from cerebral palsy and is covered by Medicaid.

Under the new law, the current Medicaid system will be expanded for low income families.

For the Murphys, that means there would be no annual limits on benefits paid.

FOX 29's Chris O'Connell has more details in this video report.