According to the White House, the new law will bring health insurance to an estimated 32 million Americans who don't currently have it.

Americans will find it easier to gain coverage due to the removal of restrictions for pre-existing medical conditions, and coverage will have fewer limits due to the phasing out of limits related to the total amount of care a person can receive from their insurer.

A change in Medicare prescription coverage will gradually close the gap in coverage over time, starting with rebate checks to Medicare members who fall into that gap in 2010.

Young people can stay on their parents' health plans until age 26, whether or not they're in school.

The new law requires health insurance plans to cover 100% of the costs of certain preventive care and health screenings that are intended to help people stay healthy and avoid more serious and costly treatments later in life.

Starting in 2014 the government will offer payments to help offset the cost of insurance for some people and tax credits to some small businesses to help offset the cost of health insurance.