A STRUGGLE FOR PASSAGE

Formulating the Affordable Care Act was a long and difficult process - first, among Obama's team and then for his allies in Congress.

"We the people have been told there is no choice," said Maine Gov. Paul LePage. "You must buy health insurance or pay the new Gestapo - the IRS."

The ACA "is a law as destructive to personal and individual liberty as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850," said Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachman.

"Our plan was a state solution to a state problem, said Romney.

(Obama's) is a power grab by the federal government to put in place a one-size-fits-all plan across the nation."

Romney argued the plans weren't really all that similar. His argument was blown up by the satirical newspaper the Onion with the headline "Mitt Romney haunted by past of trying to help uninsured sick people."

Obama's allies were sometimes not much help. Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said during the debate over the bill: "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what's in it."

In an attempt to turn public sentiment against the ACA, Republicans began referring to it as "Obamacare." The bill "will be his Waterloo," said Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina."

"I have no problem with folks saying 'Obama cares'," Obama said. "I do care. If the other side wants to be the folks that don't care, that's fine with me."

Compromises were made. Deals were made. An amended version of Obamacare passed the Senate on Dec. 24, 2009 and then passed the House on March 21, 2010. Two days later, Obama signed the ACA into law.