Cost reduction was the goal of real healthcare reform. The bill passed has nothing at all to do with improving healthcare or reducing cost since it will do neither.
Any American supporters of this bill that do not have substantial incomes (solid six figures I'd guess) can look forward to a good chance of getting dumped into medicaid at some point in the future by their employers. The penalty fee is below the cost of insurance, so why not eat the "fine" and dump everyone?
Since docs cannot afford to take medicaid patients, you'll be limited to crowded clinics for primary care, and you'll likely need to be admitted from the ER if you want to see a specialist since while specialists can not take medicaid at their offices, they are required to take ER call to get privileges at the hospitals.
I'll certainly bitch at paying higher taxes, etc, to pay for this, but regardless, we'll still be able to afford private insurance, regardless of what happens. Those of us that can do this will pay more, but the disparity in care will become far more pronounced. I'll get seen today or tomorrow, you'll be at the clinic in a few days, and wait hours into the bargain. This bill sets a path towards a much worse state of "haves and have nots" IMHO.
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