New Yorkers are applauding yesterday’s historic vote by the House of Representatives to pass health care legislation that extends coverage to tens of millions on uninsured Americans and cracks down on insurance company abuses.

After a year of bitter debate, the Democrat-controlled House passed the bill 219-212.

The legislation could be on President Barack Obama's desk as early as tomorrow.

"We believe that this act that was passed tonight is an all-American act, honoring our founders’ vows to the future and honoring our commitment to the future by making it a healthier one and a fiscally sound one," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Republicans were unanimously opposed and were joined by 34 Democrats. GOP leaders said the measure would send the nation's health care into decline.

"Shame on each and every one of you who substitutes your will and your desires above those of your fellow countrymen,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner.

But many New Yorkers who spoke to NY1 this morning cheered the vote, saying it provides much-needed coverage to the needy.

“I think disproportionately, people of color and poor people can’t afford access to health care. Now they will at least have that opportunity,” said one East Harlem resident. “So, on the basis of that alone, I applaud the measure. But there are some other concerns. It isn’t perfect. However, on that particular issue, it should be applauded and I support it for that reason.”

“I’m glad [President Barack] Obama finally got what was deserving for so many New Yorkers,” said another. “You have so many people who are ill and are afraid to go to the hospital because they will be unattended to, but why shouldn’t everyone be covered?”

The approval is a major victory for President Barack Obama, who led the historic, yet politically polarizing battle.
Some have compared the achievement to the creation of Social Security and the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

"We didn't give in to mistrust or to cynicism, or to fear, instead we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things, and tackling our biggest challenges,” Obama said. “We proved that this government, a government of the people and by the people still works for the people."

Obama is expected to travel to Iowa on Thursday to push the benefits of the new health care package.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation will cost an estimated $940 billion over the next 10 years.

It will insure approximately 32-million more Americans over the next 10 years and requires nearly all Americans to have insurance or face penalties.

It also bans companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage when someone gets sick.

The CBO says it will reduce the federal deficit by $138 billion over 10 years.