the ins co's would have held the costs down on what they would pay for services, while the govt spends our money with abandon :) so we are billed $4 for an aspirin. i still feel that matters like pre-existing conditions and over state line coverage can be handled much more efficiently than a 2000 page bill which no one read. but i am glad that you have found a benefit from the act. i, on the other hand, have lost benefits and thousands have lost jobs in the balance.