With the looming implementation of health care reform, many Napa County residents have begun to wonder how the new federal law will impact their lives and businesses.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Obama administrations Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, in June on a 5-4 vote. The law will require almost every American to have health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty.

While most Napa County residents agree that its good for everyone to have health coverage, many are divided on the law itself. Some say its too weak and they would prefer a single-payer health care system or Medicare for all. Others say the law goes too far and that the governments involvement in health care will do more harm than good.

Seven Napa County residents recently shared their opinions on health care reform and how they will be personally affected by the Affordable Care Act.

Ken Allen, 56

Napa resident and volunteer for the Napa Valley Museum

Ken Allen said health care is a human right and its an abomination that so many people are unable to afford care.

Allen has received health coverage through Kaiser Permanente for about 12 years.

He first became covered through his employer. After losing his job through company-wide layoffs, Allen continued with Kaiser through COBRA and Cal-COBRA, which extends an employers health insurance for 36 months after someone becomes unemployed. Once his Cal-COBRA coverage ran out, Allen said he chose to stick with Kaiser even though purchasing a policy as an individual more than doubled his monthly premium.

I think Kaiser is revolutionary in how they do things, Allen said, describing the health care provider as a one-stop shop.

More here:

Making sense of health care reform