President Barack Obama has signed a landmark healthcare bill into law that will help shape his legacy and his chances of holding onto power in the US Congress.
He sealed the hard-fought victory in a ceremony at the White House where he praised the American public telling them that the "extraordinary achievement has happened because of all of you and because of all the advocates all across the country."
Mr Obama reinforced the main idea behind his controversial healthcare reforms and said that the core principle of the bill is "that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their healthcare".
The overhaul will extend health coverage to 32 million Americans who were previously uninsured. It will also impose new taxes on the wealthy and ban insurance practices like refusing cover to people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Since signing the historic bill, Mr Obama is now expected to launch into a publicity blitz that Democrats hope will overcome widespread public doubts and confusion about the plan.
American voters have been split by the healthcare debate and the opposition party has vowed to try to repeal the bill.
The Republicans say they are angry over the bill's passage and it could make them less likely to work with Democrats on other issues such as climate change legislation and immigration reform.
However, the President's aides described the atmosphere at the White House as"euphoric" after the healthcare legislation was narrowly approved on Sunday.
