Yes, I know the bill hasn't even been signed yet, but it's already has two significant positive effects on our household,one of which we realized even before the president spoke last night.
My daughter has been experiencing an almost constant migraine for about five months, courtesy of some unfortunate genes. Any of you who have dealt with this know that finding an effective treatment is often a hit or miss process that can take a long time.
This same daughter has also struggled with depression off and on since she was very young (same genes.) Not surprisingly, since this migraine problem started, the depression has been creeping back. While daughter has always hated it, her attitude about it has always been open and healthy: she jokes about her "inheritance" and talks about it pretty openly. I've always cringed when she's done this, especially when she's been talking to a medical professional. I didn't want depression showing up in her medical record again. That worry is gone.
She's a college student and at various times she's wanted to take a semester off and work or volunteer, but never could. She wanted to take this term off so that she could get a handle on this migraine issue, but couldn't--because of health insurance: if she wasn't a student, she wouldn't be covered. Period. There's no way we could have afforded coverage on our own because of her pre-existing conditions. This semester has proven to be a nightmare for our family because of the migraine issue: trips to the ER, many physician visits, the dysfunction and the emotional turmoil it causes, etc., etc.
Summer's coming, and I'm sure we'll have the migraine problem well under control by the time school starts in the fall, but if for that reason, or some other, either of our kids want to take a term off of school, they'll be able to do that now. It feels incredibly liberating.
One further note: I teach in post-secondary ed and have students who would have chosen NOT to attend college yet, but did solely because it's the only way they could stay on their parents' health insurance. Often those who are reluctant students don't do well; they waste money and ruin their grade points, something that takes a long time to overcome when they mature and are ready to come back to school. While there will be a fee required to carry these older children, it will at least be a possibility. I can't help but think this is a very good thing.
I know this is only the beginning and that we'll all be working for more, but in this household, at least, it's already real change.