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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, lauded the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on President Barack Obama's health care law in a statement released hours after the decision was announced Thursday.

"Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is a victory for all Americans. The historic health care reform legislation passed by Democrats in Congress is saving money and saving lives," Thompson stated.

After much-anticipated decision, state, federal officials weigh in on meaning, likely impact of health act's survival

By a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court on Thursday upheld most of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, said the legislation passed in 2010 and signed into law by President Barack Obama was a valid exercise of Congress's power to tax.

Editor's Note: An estimated 22,409 Humboldt County residents under the age of 65 are uninsured, according to a 2011 report from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates and the U.S. Census Bureau.

”It's probably a relief to a lot of folks like HSU students, who will be able to stay on their parents' health insurance longer.”

--Executive Director Connie Stewart, California Center for Rural Policy

”So far, the Affordable Care Act has been good for Medicare beneficiaries. The gap in the drug care coverage is going to be filled because of this.”

More than 100 veterans and their family members came to the Veterans Resource Fair at American Canyon High School Theater on Monday looking for help on a variety of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, joblessness, homelessness and education.

Some vented frustration at the length of the benefits process, the paperwork involved, difficulty in contacting administrators and getting information, lack of proactive programs, no help with child care, and other issues.

Calls decision a 'victory for all Americans.'

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today released the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional:

At least 60,000 Sonoma County residents who currently have no health insurance could soon benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision Thursday to uphold the bulk of President Obama's health care law, local health officials said.

Even as critics of the law vow to turn the court's ruling into an election year referendum on Obama, local health care officials resoundingly approved the decision.

Value versus price is an ongoing question in the appraisal business and seems to be an equally popular debate in land conservation. When appraising equipment, I often refer to Warren Buffet's famous quote, "Price is what you pay; value is what you get." The same holds true for open lands.

Last time I took a hike, I paid nothing, and yet the value of an outdoor experience is immeasurable. My certainty of the value of outdoor experience is why I support the designation of Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area.

Twelve northern California lawmakers called on Obama administration officials Friday to delay the "imminent announcement" of what they described as an an "expensive and potentially damaging water diversion project" until more details of the plan are made available.

The California Democrats warned that the unpopular plan to build a peripheral canal or tunnel - as described in a recent briefing in Washington and public meeting in Sacramento - “raises far more questions than it answers, and appears to turn the maxim of ‘policy before plumbing' on its head.”