The yearlong push to overhaul the nation’s health care system reached a legislative peak Sunday when the House held its final votes on the issue.

Passage of the legislation is considered one of the most historic domestic policy achievements since the creation of Medicare 45 years ago.

The votes were cast on a two-bill package containing the Senate bill that passed on Christmas Eve and a separate bill of changes, called a budget reconciliation bill, which was drafted by House Democratic leadership to “improve” the Senate bill.

To avoid casting a recorded vote on the Senate bill, which many House Democrats dislike, the members of that chamber had considered voting only on the “fix” bill. If the fix bill had passed, the Senate bill would have been deemed approved by the House and ready for President Barack Obama’s signature. But Saturday, House Democrats decided to vote directly on the Senate bill, as well as the fix bill.

The fix bill will still need Senate approval before it, too, can be sent to Obama’s desk. A vote in that is expected this week.Here’s a detailed look at what this combined package will mean for you, depending on your income, age, job status and current insurance: 

What starts now 

Six months after the bill is signed into law, insurers must allow children up to age 26 to remain covered under their parents’ plans.Effective in September, insurers will be banned from placing lifetime limits on coverage and from rescinding coverage.

Also in September, denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions also will be banned. But insurers will not be required to cover adults with pre-existing conditions until 2014.

What will impact everyone

Eliminates pre-existing condition exclusions so you can no longer be denied coverage.  

Ends lifetime limits on benefits.  

Bans rescission — when an insurer cancels your coverage even if you’ve kept your policy current.

• Kim Geiger