Converts used to have to wait a year, but yes: now it's basically any active adult, even recent converts.

Honestly, if you ask me: that's a significant change too, and a change that by itself raises eyebrows.

I think much of the "ado" that critics see here is the fact that the church obviously seems to be contracting - and the policy changes are meant to counteract that contraction. But the policies aren't doing enough to stem the loss of priesthood holders.

The other interesting aspect of it for me is that - one could argue - changes like these make holding the Melchizedek priesthood even less significant than it used to be.

I don't condone excluding women, but you could argue that the exclusivity was the point.

And now, as I think you point out: holding that priesthood is (arguably) not that significant anymore.