By Alister Bull
Alexandria - President Barack Obama made another push to sell his healthcare overhaul to a sceptical public on Tuesday, calling it a victory over special interests that will improve the lives of middle-class Americans and defending the "courage" of legislators who backed it.
"This day affirms our ability to overcome the challenges of our politics and meet the challenges of our time," Obama told a college audience outside Washington, as he signed into law final changes to the sweeping plan approved by lawmakers last week, along with reforms in college student loan programmes.
The signing capped a year-long struggle between Democrats and Republicans that has set the stage for a bitter campaign for control of Congress in November. Republicans have vowed to make the healthcare bill the centrepiece of the election fight as they seek to repeal it.
Obama defended legislators who voted for the bill, the most sweeping shift in US social policy in decades, and took aim at what he said were misleading attacks.
"Courage is an essential ingredient in any landmark legislation, particularly when the attacks are as fierce and unrelenting and inaccurate as they have been over the past year. I just want to commend members of Congress who had the courage to do what's right," he said. - Reuters