Depending on who's offering an opinion, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare by critics, is poised to either dismantle insurance coverage as we know it or will finally offer services to those who just don't earn enough to pay for medical services.

John Harris, CEO of CU Insurance & Benefits Alliance, a Salem, Ore.-based CUSO owned by 18 credit unions, was one of the panelists on a session on the health care act signed by President Obama in early 2010 at NACUSO's annual conference in mid-April. Some of the attendees expressed confusion and frustration on how the new law will impact credit unions.

Credit Union Times recently invited Harris to offer his take on if the industry will have to overhaul the way it offers insurance. Harris was also asked how the health care act factors in whether credit unions will have to contend with more competitors in this space and if so, how can they stand out from providers vying to court members and employees.