Too early to tell?

Last month, President Barack Obama signed historic legislation designed to completely overhaul the nation's healthcare system. At the signing March 23, the President promised that over time, the law would expand coverage to all Americans, reign in the cost of maintaining the nation's healthcare system, and ultimately, save billions of dollars.

While debate continues to rage about the merits and faults of the new law, some medical experts say it is still too early to tell if the changes included in the law will effectively achieve what the President hopes. Some of the changes, like closing the so-called "doughnut hole" gap for prescription drug coverage for seniors, are expected to be phased in over the next few months. Other changes, like levying fines on individuals and businesses that do not have health insurance, will not take effect until 2014.

Joseph Quagliata, President and CEO of South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, said that at this point, it is unclear how provisions that go into effect years down the line will affect the nation's healthcare system. But, he said he is optimistic about several parts of the measure, particularly the hope that it will expand healthcare coverage and make it more affordable for Americans who are currently uninsured.

"Any law that provides healthcare coverage to another 32 million people, I am in favor of," he said. But he added that it will certainly take time to make "systemic changes" to the healthcare system, and even more time to determine the effects that they will have.

"I'm hoping that at the end of the day the changes work to reduce the cost of providing care, and also work to the benefit of the community we serve," Quagliata said.

Doctor Kenneth Becker, President of SNCH's medical staff, said that the law is definitely a step in the right direction. For example, he said he is in favor of a provision that would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, and optimistic that the law will eventually give all Americans access to affordable healthcare coverage.