WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, eager to sign a health care overhaul bill into law, on Saturday highlighted some of the changes that would come in the first year and permanently ban "the worst practices of the insurance industry."

Obama acknowledged it would take several years, until 2014 in some instances, for some of the changes to be fully implemented. He used his weekly radio and Internet address to play up the brighter side of the overhaul he hopes to sign.

"Now, it'll take a few years to fully implement these reforms in a responsible way," the president said. "But what every American should know is that once I sign health insurance reform into law, there are dozens of protections and benefits that will take effect this year."

Among them, Obama said:

n People with pre-existing illnesses or conditions will be able to buy affordable health insurance

• Children with such conditions will no longer be denied coverage

• Small-business owners who can't afford to cover their employees will get tax credits to help them do so

• Insurance companies will be required to offer free preventive care to their customers and will be prohibited from dropping coverage when someone becomes ill.