Many in Brooklyn support the health reform, although it is still not universal coverage.  “Other countries already have most of their citizens covered,” said Lian Chin.  “It’s about time we have it too.”

Although Republicans and the media have been persuading us that “most” Americans disapprove, 50 percent actually disapprove, according to Gallup polls.  However, there is no doubt that some in the those 50% are furious as demonstrated in legal protests as well as some criminal acts of harassment and intimidation toward Democratic legislators from various states (such as breaking windows and sending threatening letters) in past months.

Dissenters in Brooklyn interviewed by Bay Currents were not as irate, but we did speak to some who are unhappy about this health reform passage.  “The lazy people who don’t want to work will now get lazier since they will be covered [with health insurance],” said Joe Crespo.

A key concern of the opposition is the $940 billion price tag (over ten years.)  “This bill will end up inevitably exploding the [national] debt,” Senator Judd Gregg (R) of New Hampshire said in an interview with PBS’ Charlie Rose.  Many economic experts do not agree.

"CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation estimate that enacting both pieces of legislation – H.R. 3590 and the reconciliation proposal – would produce a net reduction in the federal deficits of $143 billion over the 2010-2019 period as a result of changes in direct spending and revenues,” wrote the CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, wrote on a blog. The CBO estimates the reduction of the deficit by $1.2 trillion in 20 years.

Obama acknowledges that the enacted legislation is not perfect, but said it’s a critical beginning.  “This legislation will not fix everything that ails our healthcare system but it moves us decisively in the right direction,” he said when signing the bill.

Here are some of the key aspects of the reform:

• Health Insurance Exchange and Choice of Insurance

If you have health insurance from your job, you may keep it.  Exchanges established by each state will be available, where individuals and families may shop for health insurance.  Separate exchanges for small businesses will be made available by 2014.  Sliding scale tax credits will be available starting later this year for small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees (with not greater than $50,000 average individual annual income.)

• Mandated health insurance

Most citizens will be mandated to have health insurance coverage or face a tax penalty. This has been a sore point with opponents, who feel that the government should not have the right to force anyone to buy anything. Supporters counter that it’s analogous to car insurance, which many states require of drivers.

For some, exemption from the mandate can be obtained such as in cases of religious conscience, incarceration, or inability to afford coverage. To help more citizens obtain coverage, Medicaid will be expanded to cover more people (with income levels up to 133 of the poverty level.  For those with incomes from 133 percent to 400 percent of the poverty level, credits will be available to help pay for insurance premiums.  (For example, an individual with an annual income of $43,320 or a family of four with an annual income of $88,200 would qualify as 400 percent poverty level.)

• Prevention of Bankruptcy from Medical Expenses for Individuals

There will be an upper limit on how much an individual will have to pay for insurance premiums.  And, lifetime caps on coverage provided to policyholders are no longer legal this year.  Annual caps will be restricted starting this year, but will be prohibited altogether by 2014.

• Elimination of “pre-existing condition” clauses

This year, insurance companies may no longer deny children with pre-existing conditions, and adults with pre-existing conditions will be able to buy insurance from a high-risk pool.  In addition, parents will be allowed to keep their children on their health insurance until the age of 26.  By 2014, denial of coverage to anyone with pre-existing conditions will be prohibited, and companies may not drop a policyholder due to illness.

• Changes in Medicare

Medicare patients currently affected by the existing “donut hole” – incomplete coverage of prescription drugs -- will be given $250.rebates.  By 2011, they will also receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name medications, and they will no longer be responsible for deductibles and copayments.

• Costs

The legislation is expected to cost $940 billion over 10 years.  However, the CBO has determined that this will be more than paid-for in 20 years.  This is made possible with provisions in the legislation such as excise taxes on “Cadillac” insurance plans and other tax-code changes, in addition to reducing inefficient spending.