President Barack Obama’s ambitious healthcare overhaul has crossed the first hurdle. The US House of Representatives has approved the bill. The battle now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains unclear.

Still the House vote should be a matter of great satisfaction to the President who has just suffered some election reverses.

"Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people," Obama said in a statement savoring the political triumph.

"The United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year," he said.

After hours of bitter debate and an appeal from Obama to "answer the call of history," lawmakers voted late Saturday 220-215 for a 10-year, trillion-dollar plan to extend health coverage to some 36 million Americans who lack it now.Facts: Health bill

The chamber's Democrats erupted in loud cheers and triumphant applause the moment the bill had the 218 votes needed for passage, about 11:07 pm (0407 GMT), a happy din that grew deafening when a gavel made it official.

The president had paid a rare visit to Congress to lobby for unity among his Democratic allies and reinforced it with a public speech, but 39 still joined 176 of the chamber's Republicans in opposition to the proposal.