The House of Representatives passed the largest and most wide-reaching piece of social legislation passed in more than four decades.

Some of the first changes that Democrats say will go into effect before 2011 include that people that are diagnosed with serious illnesses will no longer face annual spending caps. If you buy a health insurance policy, health insurance providers will no longer be able to provide a lifetime or an annual cap on how much policies will cover.

The legislation also provides $5 billion in immediate support to provide for temporary coverage of insured Americans with pre-existing conditions. Children will immediately no longer be able to be denied based on pre-existing conditions and children will now be able to stay on their parent’s health insurance policies through age 26.

Small businesses that offer health insurance coverage to their workers will be able to receive up to 50% of the premiums back in tax credits.

New insurance plans will also be required to offer free preventative care.

Seniors that participate in Medicare Part D will also receive $250 to help pay for prescriptions.

Some of the more sweeping changes will go into effect in 2014, including a mandate that most Americans carry health insurance. Low-income families will be exempt from the mandate.

In 2014, small businesses, self-employed people and individuals that are uninsured will be able to purchase insurance from new state-based pools called exchanges.

Adults will no longer be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

President Obama is expected to sign the legislation soon, however changes made to the bill will require the senate’s approval before those provisions go into effect.