US News

Biden #%@s up historic day

WASHINGTON — Hey, Mr. President, I’ve got a secret for you: This health-care bill is a “big f- – -ing deal!”

Only what Vice President Joe Biden thought he was whispering in President Obama’s ear didn’t stay a secret — it was picked up by microphones at the White House bill-signing yesterday and the video quickly went viral on the Web.

Later, Obama’s spokesman concurred with the gaffe-prone Biden’s off-script comment.

“And yes, Mr. Vice President, you’re right,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs tweeted.

Until the moment he loudly whispered to Obama, “This is a big f – – -ing deal!” Biden was following the script, heaping praise on his boss for pushing health reform through Congress.

“Mr. President, you’ve done what generations of not just ordinary, but great men and women have attempted to do,” Biden said, turning from time to time to look at a grinning Obama.

“But, Mr. President, they fell short,” said Biden, specifically mentioning Teddy Roosevelt as the first reformer.

Obama, who smiled and nodded at audience members as Biden introduced him, said the event capped “a century of trying,” although his bill falls far short of the universal health care he wanted for all Americans.

“It is fitting that Congress passed this historic legislation this week,” he said.

“For as we mark the turning of spring, we also mark a new season in America. In a few moments when I sign this bill, all of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform.”

At a second celebration later, Obama said, “After a century of striving, after a year of debate, after a historic vote, health-care reform is no longer an unmet promise. It is the law of the land.”

The legislation requires everyone in the country to have health insurance. It also cracks down on insurance companies, hikes taxes and slashes Medicare by $500 billion to pay for it all.

The plan creates health exchanges allowing small businesses, the self-employed and people who don’t get coverage through their employers to shop for coverage.

This year, insurers will no longer be allowed to bar children with pre-existing conditions or cancel coverage if a policyholder gets sick. Adults with pre-existing conditions must be covered by 2014.

A 40 percent tax on high-end “Cadillac” health plans takes effect in 2014.

Even as Obama signed the landmark legislation, Republican attorneys general from 13 states across the country filed a lawsuit to strike down the act as unconstitutional.

They argue the federal government has no right to force citizens to purchase health insurance and worry that the requirements in the bill will lead to massive deficits that will get shifted to state governments.

churt@nypost.com