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Mark O'Neill, president and chief financial officer of Hilton Head Hospital, said the bill is a step in the right direction.
"We're happy something is being done to address the growing number of uninsured, both nationally and in our region," O'Neill said. "The number of uninsured goes up every year and because of that, the cost of providing care for the uninsured has risen drastically."
O'Neill said as the bill's major provisions become clear, the hospital should see fewer patients using the emergency room for primary care, which might lower costs.
"Folks who are uninsured also often wait to get care until it's absolutely necessary and then visit the emergency room, which is obviously the most expensive alternative to providing care," he said. "As people become covered, then the numbers of the uninsured using the emergency room should go down -- but it won't be tomorrow. As soon as the details are well known and begin to be implemented, we'll be working with the community to try and help translate it."
Roland J. Gardner, chief executive officer of Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, said the legislation has been a "long time in coming."
Currently, 51 percent of Comprehensive Health Service's 18,000 patients are uninsured, Gardner said.
"As far as the finances go and getting the uninsured insured, it could be five to seven years," he said. "We're trying to make sure that these people have a home for health care until then."
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., released a statement late Sunday after the vote.
"The provisions in the bills and the process used to secure passage were both designed to enhance the power of politicians; citizens should be proud of efforts to limit such power," Wilson said in the release. "... While efforts to protect the doctor-patient relationship and prevent a federal government takeover of health care were not appreciated by a majority of lawmakers, they are certainly appreciated by a majority of freedom-loving Americans across the country."
Lady's Island resident and Marine Corps veteran Rob Miller, who last week announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination against Wilson, could not be reached Monday for comment.
Beaufort County Democratic Party Chairman Blaine Lotz said the legislation was a "major milestone."
"The reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans, provide security and stability to those who have health insurance and shift power from insurance companies to consumers," he said in a statement. "This historic bill represents not only a moral victory for those who believe that quality health care should be available to all Americans, but also responsible fiscal management as we work to reduce deficit spending."
Rachel Buie, chairwoman of the Beaufort County Republican Party, said the bill is unconstitutional.
"I think all of us feel that is was a bad move," Buie said. " Now we'll find out exactly what is in the bill and we're depending on our lawmakers to make changes. So many times, people who don't have insurance don't have it because they don't want it."
