What is in the health care bill

“Today, after almost a century of trying — today, after over a year of debate — today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America,” Obama said at a White House ceremony packed with ecstatic supporters.

The law expands health insurance coverage for 32 million Americans, in part by preventing insurance companies from denying coverage to people who are sick or have pre-existing conditions. The law provides subsidies for some Americans to purchase insurance.

Though some aspects of the bill won’t go into effect for years, Obama stressed that a “host of desperately needed reforms will take effect right away, this year,” particularly the restrictions on insurance companies. Obama said the bill enshrines “the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care.”

The president spoke of specific individuals who inspired his push for health care — including his mother, “who argued with insurance companies, even as she battled cancer in her final days.”

Minutes after Obama spoke, Republican attorneys general from 13 states filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn aspects of the health care law, including the requirement that all Americans buy health insurance or face financial penalties.

Every congressional Republican voted against the measure, saying it would cost too much and give government too much control over the health care system.

After the signing, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, tweeted, “With the stroke of a pen, President Obama has signed away another share of Americans’ freedom. We will take it back.”

Obama signed the bill in the East Room, before a crowd that included all 219 House members who voted for final passage of the bill Sunday. Also in attendance: Vicki Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., a longtime proponent of a national health care plan.

About an hour later, Obama spoke again about the bill before supporters gathered at the Interior Department.

“We wanted to do this twice because there are so many people we have to thank,” Obama told a crowd that included labor and health care groups.

“This is not my victory,” Obama said. “It is your victory — it is a victory for the United States of America.”

The president used 22 ceremonial pens during the signing ceremony that had a party-like atmosphere. Before the president’s remarks, smiling Democrats snapped pictures of each other, some posing in front of the presidential podium.

Before the signing, people shouted out an Obama campaign chant: “Fired up! Ready to go! Fired up! Ready to go!”

“Mr. President, I think we’ve got a happy room here,” Vice President Biden said in introducing Obama.

The president and his aides must sell the plan to the American public. The effort includes a speech Thursday in Iowa City.

Among the Republicans calling for repeal of the health care bill, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said the right approach would include allowing insurance companies to sell policies across state lines and restricting jury awards in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Under the Obama plan, “government bureaucrats will now dictate the terms of our health care system,” DeMint wrote in an op-ed for USA TODAY.

Obama expressed confidence in the bill, saying “the overheated rhetoric” of the health care debate will be overtaken by “the reality of reform.” He said the changes in the law must be put in place carefully.

“We need to get this right,” Obama said.

Obama dedicated the bill to White House predecessors who have sought health care legislation, from Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

“It’s also a testament,” Obama said, “to the historic leadership and uncommon courage of the men and women of the United States Congress who’ve taken their lumps during this difficult debate.”

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., shouted, “Yes, we did.”

This all was What is in the health care bill which now sign today.