A cheer from the Democratic side of the House has heralded the passage of sweeping health care overhaul legislation in the chamber, with a narrow 220-215 vote.

Republicans were nearly unanimous in rejecting the measure, which Michigan Rep. Candice Miller derided as a "jobs-killing, tax-hiking, deficit-exploding" bill.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance while providing subsidies to those who can't afford it.

Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. And insurance companies would no longer be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions or charge higher premiums based on gender or medical history.

President Barack Obama is praising the $1.2 trillion bill's passage, saying he expects the Senate to follow suit and looks forward to "signing it into law by the end of the year."

The House also voted not to let the government run health care plan provide coverage for abortion, except for cases of rape, incest, or where the woman's life is in danger.

On a vote of 240 to 194, a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed through a provision in the health care reform package that prohibits the government run insurance operation that it establishes from covering abortions.

The bill originally called for the government to decide if abortions would be covered and the change is considered a defeat for liberals.

The amendment by Bart Stupak, D-Mich., imposes tight restrictions on abortions that could be offered through a new public health insurance option and through private insurance purchased with government subsidies.