Good Medicine?

With all of the talk of health care reform flying about (seriously, check any news-related website) one issue is often glossed over: what changes will the health care reform bill actually generate?

Well, we at USDemocrazy have taken the noble task of rounding up wisdom from across the ‘net in order to enlighten you on the what the Democrats’ magnum opus will actually do when it is signed into law (most likely sometime today).

Our good friends (i.e. people whose blog we read) at Crooks and Liars have provided a great top ten list of immediate results. We won’t give you all of them (that’s what the link is for) but here are some highlights:

1. Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday

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8. Requirement that all insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.

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10. AND no more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can’t lose your insurance because you get sick.

For a longer and more in-depth look at the bill’s provisions, check out The Daily Beast’s list of things that are (and are not) in the bill.

Some of you out there may be more visual learners so we’re are happy to provide (well, actually just give you the links to) some great charts.

This LA Times chart is chock full of facts.  It can look overwhelming at first glance, but just take a moment to figure out what each section covers and you can learn a huge amount.

In case you prefer direct interaction the New York Times has given us a wonderfully dynamic chart on how the bill could affect you.  Select your current insurance status and be given a quick blurb on potential outcomes backed up by in-depth information.

Now one thing that is important to keep in mind is that all of these changes won’t happen at once.  Now if only someone would create a timeline of when key rules go into play… Wait a minute! Someone has!  The Washington Post has this WONDERFUL timeline letting you know what to expect when:

Starting…

Within a year

– Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare prescription drug plan beneficiaries whose initial benefits run out.

And ending…

By 2019

– Expands health insurance coverage to 32 million people.

You know what the second best thing about the internet is (after USDemocrazy)?

The fact that for every piece of information, you find hundreds more are waiting to be uncovered.  Due to this fact PLEASE post any useful information on the bill you find.

Remember, we’re all in this together.