WASHINGTON – Having survived its most serious threat, the 2010 health care law moves forward, dented and dinged by the Supreme Court’s forensic-style ruling but still standing as the most comprehensive, costly and controversial overhaul that the nation’s fractured medical system has ever known.

“This is truly a hallelujah moment for families across America,” said Ron Pollack, executive director of the liberal health advocacy group Families USA. “It means families will get the peace of mind that health coverage and care will be there for them when they need it.”

While the bulk of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s most meaningful provisions won’t take effect until 2014, millions of Americans already are benefiting from the sweeping legislation that provides consumers unparalleled leverage in their dealings with health care providers and insurers.