To Philadelphia's uninsured, ‘socialism' sounds just fine when it comes to health care

MELVA ROONEY doesn't care that Republicans deride President Obama's historic health-care shakeup as a step toward socialism.

For Rooney, a 67-year-old former secretary living on a fixed income, a dab of socialism sounds pretty good these days. Better than continuing to dish out hundreds of dollars for a trip to the doctor's office or a routine exam.

"It's somewhat of a socialist approach, but if it's going to help the poor, that's what we need," said Rooney, who lost her New Mexico home to foreclosure in 2008 and had to move in with her daughter in West Philly.

Medicare covers some of her health-care costs, but she often has to pay out-of-pocket.

"I think Obamacare is going to be really helpful to me and many people who I know who are in the same situation," said Rooney, who hopes that Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the law means that she'll eventually be able to get full insurance.

Jane Feustel, 28, of Southwest Center City, said that the court decision means "no more living in fear." Fuestel, who works for a local nonprofit, was denied insurance coverage in 2009 due to chronic head pain that requires regular visits to a neurologist. Starting in 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, companies can no longer turn away people like Feustel.

"Hearing the decision gave me a sense of relief and confidence that there will be a time that insurance companies can't deny me for something I can't help," she said.

Purnell Parker, 49, an unemployed banquet server from Southwest Philadelphia, has no insurance and depends on free health clinics. It's not a pleasant experience, he warned.

"Sometimes, it can be a zoo in there," said Parker, who welcomed Thursday's news. "I have serious health issues and I haven't had insurance in three years, the last time I worked. It's just been horrible."

And don't tell Deborah Hare that you think the law is unconstitutional. Hare, 51, who is unemployed and volunteers for Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., moved here from Florida to help care for her elderly mother. They both could use a hand when it comes to health-care costs.

— Daily News staff writer Jan Ransom contributed to this report.