What Health Care Changes will we Get?

There is a lot and I do mean a lot that still has to happen before any bill is passed and signed into law, but if I had to guess, I think we will see the following changes:

1) Increased insurance provider options for some or most people
- I can't see through the cloudy crystal ball to determine whether there will be a public option, co-opts or enable health care companies to compete with one another nationwide, but competition and choice (limited) is a good thing and will reduce costs

2) Coverage for pre-existing conditions in almost all situations
- I hesitate to say ALL situations, but that is the goal

3) Assistance determining what health care insurance options are the best fit
- a relatively low cost item that will make life a whole lot better for those who struggle with such decisions

4) Premiums effectively lowered (through subsidies) for lower income families and individuals
- questions now are how much, to whom, what is the sliding scale and how would this be administered

5) Increased opportunity to get prescriptions at lower costs
- this may happen from non-government entities like Walmart and perhaps Shoppers Clubs like BJs, Sam's and Costco getting in on the potential increased revenue and membership.

Again, I am not sure what the price tag will be (but it will be lower than any number currently mentioned), whether or not there will be a public option or just the THREAT of a public option is certain triggers are hit (most likely compromise), whether some plans are taxed (unlikely since the premium isn't dependent just on value but also the actuarial expected cost of the insured) or even if health care is mandatory (unlikely unless heavily subsidized and the minimum requirement is very small).

But, if we get the items in numbers 1 through 5 (and we may not get much more), that will be a significant improvement without negatively changing the way most covered Americans get their insurance.