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As the health care overhaul bills still make their way through Congress, some wonder - when everything passes - will medical costs lower. Apparently, there is no adjustment, per se, to the traditional "fee for service" payments for doctors; however, Congress (both House and Senate) has proposed new financial incentives for doctors that could cut medical costs and improve patient care.

The Creation of ACOs

The House and Senate bills have included provisions that encourage the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The idea of these organizations is that if all the doctors who take care of you (primary care, specialists, your hospital) worked together - and their financial fates were connected - you would get better care and the cost wouldn't be as high.

While neither House nor Senate has plans in their bills to make this concept permanent, they would offer bonuses to participating doctors and groups if they met or exceeded certain quality and cost targets. If the ACO project passes with the health care overhaul bill, it would first only be limited to Medicare.

Could it Work?

While there is no official opposition to the ACO project, some question whether it could actually work. Physicians in particular say they won't have the time or management expertise to negotiate contracts with other physicians and hospitals. Others say that the health care system is already littered with pilot projects and research studies to reduce medical spending. But while most are good ideas, they're hard to implement.

The only hope that Congress - and patients looking for lower medical expenses - can rest with at this point is that the incentives proposed will be enough to convince doctors and hospitals to hop on board.

Do you think ACOs will work?

Ever since the Democrat-led Senate passed the historic health care overhaul on Christmas Eve, Senate Republicans have vowed to halt the bill before it makes it to President Obama's desk. According to the Senators, the American people are displeased with the bill and want to make sure it comes to a halt before it is signed into law.

Republicans Plea for Change During Recess

The senators are all preparing to leave Washington for winter recess; however, many say that they want their counterparts to use this time to build up opposition in their respective states against the overhaul. They believe they will already hear a mouthful from residents when they get home.

Their hope is that they will be able to build up enough support to halt the overhaul as it makes its way to the House of Representatives.

Why Republicans Hate the Health Care Overall

One main reason that Republicans are so strongly opposed to the health care overhaul is that they don't want government-run insurance. Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has been quoted as calling the bill a "monstrosity" and even addressed Obama directly by stating, "I want to assure you, Mr. President, this fight isn't over."

In their effort to stall the bill, Republicans were able to force Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - who wanted to assign conferees to meet with House negotiators on a compromise between the two versions of the bill and begin negotiations as early as next week - to halt this process by saying they would object to the appointment during holiday recess.

The Fight is On

It seems that there is going to be a bit of a tug of war between the two parties as they fight through Congress to get a bill passed. Democrats plan to get around Republican objections by "ping-ponging" the bill, which means the Senate would ping the bill over to the House and have it make changes and then the House would pong it back over to Senate for another round.

With all of the in-house fighting among Congressional leaders, the American public can only sit by and watch desperately hoping that their health care costs don't continue to rise. And if they do as they have (see story: Expect New Health Care Cost Trends), the bill will pass in time to offer affordable health care coverage options to everyone.

How do you feel about the health care battle between Democrats and Republicans?

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