Price: Health reform vote to stand test of time

"I feel very strongly that this is a vote not only in the interests of our community and our country, but one that will stand the historic test of time," Price said, comparing it to the creation of Social Security and Medicare.

Congressional budget analysts have shown that the reforms will pay for themselves and will help cut the national deficit over the next 20 years, he said.

"Some of that requires savings within health care itself. Some of it requires some revenue from outside," he said. "But it's basically paid for."

Price dismissed efforts by Republicans to repeal the law and by some states to challenge its constitutionality in the courts. He said both are purely political moves.

"People hope to make hay politically, and I hope that they will soon see that this law promises immediate benefits," he said.