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Barack Obama has secured a huge political victory with the narrow passage today of a bill which will eventually guarantee health care for tens of millions of Americans.
Members of the House of Representatives have voted 219-212 to approve the Senate-passed legislation and were to move quickly to pass a package of changes sought by the President.
Mr Obama had postponed his trip to Australia, which had been planned for later this week, so that he could stay in Washington and see the package through the Congress.
Tomorrow in Canberra, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will face off in a debate on their own prescriptions for improving Australia's health system.
In a special statement at the White House, Mr Obama hailed the vote as a victory for common sense and regular people. He said it showed America was still capable of "big things".
"This is what change looks like," he said.
