Obama spoke at the White House on Saturday not long after Senate Democratic leaders secured the support of Nebraska's Ben Nelson to provide the 60th and deciding vote for health care legislation.
The president said that "it now appears the American people will have the vote they deserve" on this important issue.
He called Saturday's development a major step forward in extending coverage to the uninsured and saving money for businesses and the government in the long term.
Obama also said that overhauling the nation's health care system will save lives.
