Landmark health care overhaul bill heads to Obama's desk

The late Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow, Vicki Kennedy, speaks out on the historic health care vote on the premiere of "John King, USA" Monday night at 7 ET on CNN.

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama will sign sweeping health care reform legislation into law at the White House on Tuesday, according to two Democratic officials familiar with the planning.

He will also hit the road to sell the measure to a still-skeptical public, giving a speech Thursday in Iowa City, Iowa, said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Obama launched his grassroots drive for health care reform in Iowa City in May of 2007, according to Gibbs.

The bill, which constitutes the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees in over four decades, passed the House of Representatives late Sunday night. It was approved by the Senate in December.

A separate compromise package of changes also passed by the House on Sunday and still needs to be approved by the Senate. The officials noted that the Senate cannot begin debate on the package before Obama signs the underlying bill into law.

The overall $940 billion plan -- which passed the House with no GOP support -- is projected to extend insurance coverage to roughly 32 million Americans who don't have it.

Most Americans will now be required to have health insurance or pay a fine. Larger employers will be required to provide coverage or risk financial penalties. Lifetime coverage limits will be banned, and insurers will be barred from denying coverage based on gender or pre-existing conditions.

The compromise package would add to the bill's total cost partly by expanding insurance subsidies for middle- and lower-income families. The measure would scale back the bill's taxes on expensive insurance plans.

Highlights of what's in the bill

Jubilant House Democrats are expected to celebrate the passage of Obama's signature domestic priority at a news conference with reform advocates Tuesday afternoon.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- who spearheaded her husband's failed health reform effort in the 1990s -- said earlier in the day that Obama's success was an example of the president's tenacity.

"If you ever doubt the resolve of President Obama to stay with a job, look at what we got done for the United States last night when it came to passing quality affordable health care for everyone," Clinton said during a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.