By Gia Vang

EUGENE, Ore. -- After almost a year of political drama and partisan bickering, congress is in the midst of passing an historic overhaul of the nation's health care system.

One important part of the plan will make health insurance mandatory for most U.S. citizens and legal residents.  It says they must purchase minial coverage for themselves and their dependents.

If you ignore the mandate, you'll pay a penalty to the federal government beginning in 2014.  Experts say the fine starts out fairly small but by the time it's fully phased in, in 2016, it could be substantial.

Those in or near their 20's are the groups that's likely unisured.  And they're also the one's who aren't quite sure how they feel about it.

Eugene resident Katelyn Towner is 18 and said she can't afford her bills right now, let alone be mandated to get health insurance.  But she said she knows it's important.

"I know a lot of people who need it and they're not getting the help they need so I hope that helps them," Towner said.

25-year-old Jonothan Peak said he's wondering where he'll have to cut.

"What is it going to cut into. What other things can I not afford now that I have to afford medicare," he said.

But the bill does proposse a tax credit for those who still cannot afford insurance.

But some critics say those earning more than a certain income will not qualify.  Instead, they said they'll be the ones subsidizing the elderly who have poor health.

If it passes, the bill is expected to create affordable insurance for 32 million Americans at a price tag of $940 billion over its first 10 years, according to the congressional budget office.