Health reform happening

Finally, after months of political wrangling, the House passed the healthcare bill approved by the Senate on Christmas Eve. The 219-212 vote last night sent the bill to President Obama. After the vote, the House also adopted a package of changes to it, which were agreed to in negotiations among House and Senate Democrats the White House, the NT Times explains, which now goes to the Senate for action this week.

The bill requires most Americans to have health insurance, adds 16 million people to Medicaid, subsidizes coverage to low- to middle-income people, and sets up an insurance exchange.

So eventually, an estimated 32 million more Americans will have health insurance, which means you could be seeing more patients in your office. Are you ready for that? Check out our recent story about how to prep your practice for reform’s new patients.