A Message From President Obama

For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed
comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred
years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks
to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high
quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections
in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and
discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of
jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy,
and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our
children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and
far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury
or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their
slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a
crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great
nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally
receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past
generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach
for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months
of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But
most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and
we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that
work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that
fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard
together every day since to deliver on that belief.

We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks
and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply
become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing
challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether
the American people could still rally together when the cause was
right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable:
Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama