It finally passed. The health care bill for which President Barack Obama has vehemently fought almost since day one at the White House has finally passed both houses of Congress and was headed to his desk for his signature this week.

President Barack Obama As Congressional Black Caucus Members celebrated the 219-212 vote, the President put the historic moment in perspective on Sunday evening:

“Tonight, after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying, and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States Congress finally declared that America’s workers and America's families and America's small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here, in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they’ve worked a lifetime to achieve.” He explained,“If you have health insurance, this reform just gave you more control by reining in the worst excesses and abuses of the insurance industry with some of the toughest consumer protections this country has ever known - so that you are actually getting what you pay for.

“If you don’t have insurance, this reform gives you a chance to be a part of a big purchasing pool that will give you choice and competition and cheaper prices for insurance. And it includes the largest health care tax cut for working families and small businesses in history - so that if you lose your job and you change jobs, start that new business, you’ll finally be able to purchase quality, affordable care and the security and peace of mind that comes with it.

President Obama has fought long for the bill, escalating the battle after the death of his friend and former colleague Sen. Ted Kennedy last year. Kennedy was considered the Senate’s champion for health care.

Still, many will now wonder what it all means for African-Americans who suffer the most from low quality health care and health disparities. Members of the CBC say they believe the bill will make significant impact in the Black community.

“We cast our votes for all those people who deserve health care but simply can’t afford it. We cast our votes for our senior citizens who will see their prescription drug costs go down. We cast our votes for our children and grandchildren, so that they can live longer, fuller and healthier lives. We cast our votes in the memory of those people who didn’t have preventive care and died prematurely,” said a statement from Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), applauding the passage.

“ To those who suffer from those health disparities, our vote tonight carries significance similar to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in that it fulfills a dream that has been elusive for far too long and for far too many Americans.”

Editor’s Note: Neither Congressman John Barrow

or Congressman Jack Kingston voted in favor of

the health care bill.