The Democratic-controlled House has passed historic health care legislation to provide medical coverage to millions more Americans.

Only one Republican voted in favor of the bill.

The bill would require most Americans to carry insurance, and large employers would be obliged to cover their employees.

U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly (D) voted for the bill, called “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act,” but Republican Representatives Mark Souder and Fred Upton opposed the legislation.

“This bill is designed to make health insurance more affordable and secure for all Americans,” said Donnelly. “This legislation is not perfect, and I am working hard to make it better. It will not become law until merged with legislation from the United States Senate . As the process moves forward, I will continue to advocate for a final bill to include additional cost reductions that would reduce our deficit even further.”

Upton had this to say about the bill: “At a time of double-digit unemployment and record deficits, it is careless to rush through a massive new government program that does real and lasting damage to our current system and all those covered under it, while piling an avalanche of debt on our children and grandchildren.”

And Souder had similar concerns about the bill: ““This government takeover of our health care system not only ignores the concerns of Hoosiers who voiced their opinions in letters and phone calls, at town hall meetings, and in visits to Washington—it also erodes choice, competition, and innovation, leaving us with higher taxes, increased deficits and bigger government.”

From politicians to folks around Michiana, many opinions exist on the bill – and the idea of health care reform itself.

"I feel with the economy being so unstable at this point it's not exactly the wisest choice,” said Catherine Gillespie, a Notre Dame student, of the more-than-$1 million legislation.

“There's pros and cons, I think both sides have valid points, but I think it's something a lot of people needed,” said Mike Spencer, a Mishawaka resident. “I think it will pass, I really do, I think it will pass the Senate," he said.

Before that, though, the Senate needs to draft a final bill, then vote on it.

"It's only worth supporting if it helps get the deficit down, If it helps to stabilized and protect the coverage people already have. And if it begins to lower the cost for ordinary families and citizens," says U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D Indiana).

"Attempting to pay for it, we are likely to cause another economic recession or problems with the dollar," says U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R Indiana).

Supporters of the House bill say that, if you have insurance now and you like it, you can still keep yours. If you don’t have insurance, you’ll likely need to get insurance or face penalties. Also, you wouldn’t be denied insurance if you have pre-existing conditions. And as for the public option – in the House bill it states that there will be an exchange for people to shop around for an insurance plan and the public option is one of those plans.

"For all the sound and fury about this being dramatic change, for most Americans, this won't be much of a change at all," says Patrick Pierce, political science professor at Saint Mary's College. "The rest of us who are happy with our coverage and are simply staying with our coverage, we will no longer have to pay the emergency room bills for the individuals who didn't have coverage."