Yes raids are much easier post-patch as much of the content can now be brute forced through (my guild did Bloodboil, RoS, Sha'rahz and Council for the first time after the patch having never tried them before - and having no shadow res for mother).

I like the change, I'd have never been able to see Illidan had they not made the content easier (server issues meant we couldn't kill him - but there's still time) at the same time the kills aren't as much of an achievement now as they used to be, but I don't think people would be motivated enough at this point in the game to spend countless hours wiping on the same boss. So at least it means there's more chance of raiding continuing up until the patch (I remember pre-BC when my guild couldn't raid anything in the weeks leading up to the expansion because everyone was too busy pvping).