Here is a look at the highlights of the proposals before lawmakers in Congress. The house narrowly passed its bill on a vote of 220-215, just one republican voted for it.

The bill creates an independent agency in the executive branch of the government called the Health Choices Administration that will be run by a commissioner appointed by the president. The commissioner will oversee the new health insurance exchange that will offer a public health insurance option alongside private insurance plans.

Enrollment in the public option is voluntary. However people who fail to enroll in any insurance program will be taxed 2.5% of their modified gross income.

Businesses with payrolls more than $500,000 dollars would be required to offer employees insurance or pay a fine. The bill would also stop insurance companies from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition or dropping people when they get sick. Also in the bill, young adults can stay on their parent's insurance plan until age 27.

It states that it does not change state laws or federal laws regarding the coverage of abortions. It is estimated that the bill would extend insurance coverage to 36-million uninsured Americans.

The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would cost $891-billion over 10 years and reduce the federal deficit by $109-billion dollars. It is paid for by cuts to Medicare and tax increases on wealthy Americans.

In the Senate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was announced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, Wednesday night. The bill has not yet been voted on by a full Senate. Reid said it would expand health insurance coverage to 30-million more Americans at an estimated cost of $849-billion over 10 years.

The CBO estimated the proposal would reduce the federal deficit by $130-billion over 10 years.

Like the House's version, the Senate's proposed bill sets up a new insurance exchange market to help those who have a difficult time getting coverage. A government-run public health insurance option would be included in that market; although states can opt out of the public option.

Senate republicans are up in arms because private companies that cover abortions would be allowed to enter the exchange market. The bill would require individuals to buy health insurance or face a fine of $95 in the first year that would increase in years to come.

The bill would also stop insurance companies from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Unlike the House version, the Senate bill does not mandate that all employers offer health care. The bill includes a range of tax increases and new fees to pay for the legislation.

Reid needs to round up 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to overcome a certain GOP filibuster. Senator Max Baucus is in Helena with his ill mother and has not yet released a statement on the Senate version.