So now its the countdown. The vote on a healthcare bill that spans nearly 2,000 pages and which few, if any, lawmakers have actually read in its entirety.

According to the Seattle Examiner, this is what Americans can expect if it passes:

Health Care Reform Bill Benefits

If President Obama’s Health Care Reform Bill is passed, these are some of the benefits which Americans would receive:

* health insurance companies would not be able to refuse care due to health, age or gender
* aging Americans would have the means to remain in their own homes through funding provided
* fairer health insurance costs for all; health insurance companies would be unable to set higher insurance premiums due to age or gender
* preventive health measures would not be denied through Medicare (currently preventive health services often require co-pay from the patient); this means that routine screenings for illnesses such as cancer have a stronger chance of being caught in the early stages if the test is taken. Many cannot afford preventive medicine at present
* many Americans who currently do not qualify for Medicare would receive help in paying health insurance premiums at a certain level; in addition, other health insurance premium help, for those on a low income, would be available.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government’s mandates. However, depending on what the penalty actually is, it may be cheaper for a company to pay the penalty rather than insure employees.

Finally, it creates a federally regulated marketplace where consumers could shop for coverage, and also a public option. Although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that premiums for it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private firms.

Well, it’s a start in the right direction, at least as far as putting more regulations on the insurance industry. But it really does nothing to improve health, to cut health care costs, or to reign in spending on healthcare.

For example, what about Medicare being able to negotiate volume discounts on drugs? Thus far, Medicare is prohibited from doing so. Now isn’t that a bust and a sweetheart deal for drug companies.

What about making medical schools free of charge, so doctors do not complete their schooling $100-$300,000 in debt? Without a huge school debt to pay off, physician fees can justifiably be lowered. Ditto for the reforming our lawsuit culture. Judges should hold lawyers in contempt of court for bringing frivolous malpractice suits to trial, and the people suing should be required to pay court costs.

That’s just a start. Doctors order tests that people don’t need just to cover their ass; care is uncoordinated; very little attention of paid to prevention; there is still way too much pandering to special interest groups, if overall health is going to be improved.

In the meantime, if the healthcare plan does pass, it does mean that a friend of mine will be able to get some sort of insurance, and that she will be able to get a lung transplant. An individual victory, and one that I am happy for, but the overall plan is still a victory for industry and not the consumer.