The just-passed health care reform bill is far from perfect. But it's not completely horrible, either. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office believes that, over time, the bill will actually decrease the deficit. This will be helped along by the fact that there will be an increase in the Medicare tax by couples that make more than $250,000 a year, and singles making more than $200,000 a year.

While some of the provisions won't be enacted until 2014, there are some immediate benefits that should come from the health care reform bill. Crooks and Liars lists 10 of the immediate benefits, and some of them could actually improve the situation as it relates to your pocketbook and health care costs. Over the long term, there are hopes that the focus on preventative care in this bill, as well as some of the other provisions, might make for more affordable health care.