US President Barack Obama says a health reform bill which will bring healthcare to millions more Americans shows the country is "still capable of doing big things".
Members of the House of Representatives on Sunday voted 219 to 212 to back the controversial legislation, following months of bitter infighting.
The plan will bring health insurance to 32 million Americans who, until now, had been without coverage.
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Mr Obama said the decision showed millions of Americans "that neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they have worked so hard to achieve".
He said the historic vote, coming "after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration", proves that "this government - the government of the people and by the people - still works for the people".
'Victory for common sense'
As well as thanking the politicians who helped to get the bill passed, Mr Obama also praised "every unsung American who took the time to type out an email or write a letter" in support of universal healthcare.
"This moment is possible because of you," he said.
The President congratulated lawmakers who by their vote in favour of the bill had "pusjhed back against the influence of special interests".
He said the bill would "do something about a healthcare system that works for insurance companies, but not for people".
And calling for unity after months of angry party political division over healthcare reform, Mr Obama insisted: "tonight's vote is not a victory for any one party... it's a victory for common sense".
