At least 5 changes that will take place in 2010 following passage of the Health Care bill

 Now that Congress has passed the Senate's health care bill, the big question for many is what will it mean to me today, next month, this year?

That's what I wanted to know and that's what I''ll try to offer to you here.

Though the bulk of the reforms won't take place for three or four years, some significant changes will take place by year's end. Some within a month or so. Here are some of the highlights:

• Within three months of the law taking effect, those who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing condition could buy subsidized coverage in so-called high-risk insurance pools. 

• Six months after the legislation is enacted, many healthcare providers would be prohibited from placing lifetime limits on medical coverage, and could not cancel policies of people who become ill. 

• Six months after the legislation is enacted, no children with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage. 

• Dependent children up to age 26 would be eligible for coverage under their parents’ plans — instead of the current rules, applied from state to state, that typically stops at 18 or 19, within six months of the president signing the bill.

• By year's end, the so-called health care exchanges – which would require insurers to sell their policies to individuals and small businesses under much tighter government scrutiny – should be up and running. 

It is expected that by 2014 half of the 32 million covered by the reform would buy their policies from private firms, the other half would eventually be covered by expanded Medicare/Medicaid coverage.

 Now, I could write for hours about my opinion, but I thought — for this subject for the next few days anyhow, I would offer just the facts.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com