If you have health insurance, your coverage is now stronger and better, thanks to health care reform.

Back in March, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - the single most important reform of America's health care system in decades.

Of course, many people are starting to find out just how much their `new and improved' insurance is going to cost them.

Some desert residents already feel the increased costs associated with the new benefits in the form of double-digit rate increases on their health insurance premiums.

Michael Nance, 49, and his wife Sonja Nance, 50, who own an Avis Rent A Car franchise in Palm Desert, have an individual Aetna plan for themselves and their 21-year-old son. They were recently notified their premiums will rise 17 percent on Friday -- from $590 to $689.

The letter announcing the increase also came with a notice saying the Nances could change their policy to one with a higher deductible and lower premiums, but as the health care reform law continues to mandate new benefits, their premiums could rise again.

Come January, 2011 paychecks across the country will be significantly lighter after the Bush tax cuts expire* and insurance premiums increase thanks to the new ObamaCare mandates.

*You know after the mid term elections, lame duck Democrats in the Senate will not extend the Bush tax cuts.