2010/11/12
Good morning,
Each fall, Americans take time to honor the brave men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation and the ideals on which it was founded.
Today, I met with service members in Yongsan Garrison in South Korea, and I told them that honoring their service isn’t just about the memorial services we attend on Veterans Day or Memorial Day -- it’s about how we treat our Veterans every day of the year.
Our men and women in uniform and their families have sacrificed so much, and all Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for their service. It is our moral obligation to care for our service members, Veterans and military families as they have cared for us.
As Commander in Chief, this is a commitment I take very seriously. That’s why my Administration is building a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that our Veterans have every opportunity to live happy, productive and healthy lives once they step out of uniform:
Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, we are helping nearly 400,000 Veterans and family members pursue higher education.
We have dramatically increased funding for Veterans health care across the board and are directing unprecedented resources to treat the wounds of today’s wars -- traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The VA is working to streamline the claims process by creating a single electronic record that our troops and Veterans can keep for life and hiring thousands of claims processors to finally break the back of the backlog of claims.
Today, there are 18 percent fewer homeless Veterans on our streets than there were when I took office, and we won’t rest until all our Veterans have a place to call home.
I encourage all Americans to take time to thank the Veterans, service members and military families in your lives and recognize their extraordinary service to our country.
To all of our men and women in uniform, our Veterans and our military families: We honor your service, we are grateful for your sacrifice, and we will not let you down.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
Each fall, Americans take time to honor the brave men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation and the ideals on which it was founded.
Today, I met with service members in Yongsan Garrison in South Korea, and I told them that honoring their service isn’t just about the memorial services we attend on Veterans Day or Memorial Day -- it’s about how we treat our Veterans every day of the year.
Our men and women in uniform and their families have sacrificed so much, and all Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for their service. It is our moral obligation to care for our service members, Veterans and military families as they have cared for us.
As Commander in Chief, this is a commitment I take very seriously. That’s why my Administration is building a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that our Veterans have every opportunity to live happy, productive and healthy lives once they step out of uniform:
Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, we are helping nearly 400,000 Veterans and family members pursue higher education.
We have dramatically increased funding for Veterans health care across the board and are directing unprecedented resources to treat the wounds of today’s wars -- traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The VA is working to streamline the claims process by creating a single electronic record that our troops and Veterans can keep for life and hiring thousands of claims processors to finally break the back of the backlog of claims.
Today, there are 18 percent fewer homeless Veterans on our streets than there were when I took office, and we won’t rest until all our Veterans have a place to call home.
I encourage all Americans to take time to thank the Veterans, service members and military families in your lives and recognize their extraordinary service to our country.
To all of our men and women in uniform, our Veterans and our military families: We honor your service, we are grateful for your sacrifice, and we will not let you down.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
2010/11/18
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Did You Know?
Here are some other cool things on WhiteHouse.gov that you may not know about.
White House White Board
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee breaks down key economic issues like tax cuts for the middle class, jobs trends, and the National Export Initiative in this video series.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whiteboard
West Wing Week
West Wing Week is our exclusive look at what’s going on at the White House each week, with special episodes dedicated to dispatches from places like the Gulf Coast and Iraq. Check out this week’s episode here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/west-wing-week123
Inside the White House
Thousands of visitors tour the White House each day, but now you don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. to get a peek inside. Check out our new interactive tour with some incredible behind-the-scenes photos from the Photo Office and our best "Inside the White House" videos.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/interactive-tour
Photo of the Day
Each day, new photos of the President, Vice President and First Family are posted in the Photo of the Day gallery. In addition, there are periodic photo galleries of important events and trips. Check out the photo of the day and other galleries here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/november-2010-photo-day
President and Vice President’s Daily Schedules
Want to know what President Obama is up to today? The President and Vice President’s schedules are published online each day. You can even download the calendars using iCal. Check out what the President is up to right now:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/complete
You can get all of these features and more on WhiteHouse.gov, or sign up for the Daily Snapshot email and have the best of WhiteHouse.gov delivered to your inbox each morning:
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Stay Connected
As a subscriber to the White House email list, we want to know what you think about our emails and the White House online program in general, so we put together a short survey. Can you take a few minutes to let us know what you think?
Your survey responses are completely anonymous and not tied to your email address. White House staff will only use responses to this survey to help improve our email program and online program.
Did You Know?
Here are some other cool things on WhiteHouse.gov that you may not know about.
White House White Board
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee breaks down key economic issues like tax cuts for the middle class, jobs trends, and the National Export Initiative in this video series.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whiteboard
West Wing Week
West Wing Week is our exclusive look at what’s going on at the White House each week, with special episodes dedicated to dispatches from places like the Gulf Coast and Iraq. Check out this week’s episode here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/west-wing-week123
Inside the White House
Thousands of visitors tour the White House each day, but now you don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. to get a peek inside. Check out our new interactive tour with some incredible behind-the-scenes photos from the Photo Office and our best "Inside the White House" videos.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/interactive-tour
Photo of the Day
Each day, new photos of the President, Vice President and First Family are posted in the Photo of the Day gallery. In addition, there are periodic photo galleries of important events and trips. Check out the photo of the day and other galleries here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/november-2010-photo-day
President and Vice President’s Daily Schedules
Want to know what President Obama is up to today? The President and Vice President’s schedules are published online each day. You can even download the calendars using iCal. Check out what the President is up to right now:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/complete
You can get all of these features and more on WhiteHouse.gov, or sign up for the Daily Snapshot email and have the best of WhiteHouse.gov delivered to your inbox each morning:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/daily-snapshot
Stay Connected
2010/11/23
Good afternoon,
Over the past few years, many Americans have seen their health insurance premiums skyrocket, while the quality of their health care declined. One of the reasons I pushed so hard to pass health care reform this year was to make sure that American consumers get what they pay for when it comes to their health care.
Today, we're launching a new provision of the Affordable Care Act that does exactly that. Next year, insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of the health insurance premiums you pay on your health care, instead of overhead costs like advertising and executive compensation. If they don't, they will be required to give you a rebate or cut your premiums starting in 2012.
I asked Nancy-Ann DeParle, the Director of the Office of Health Reform here at the White House, to break down what this means for you and why it's so important:
This new rules will make our health care marketplace more transparent and ensure you get the best value for your premium dollars. And it is just one of the many parts of the Affordable Care Act that are already making our health care system stronger. Here are just a few ways the Affordable Care Act is helping you and your family:
HealthCare.gov. This new website helps you find private health insurance coverage that's right for you and your family and now allows you to compare pricing for the options available to you. In 2014, there will be many more affordable private plan choices.
Patient's Bill of Rights. Insurance companies can no longer place lifetime limits on your care. If you're a young adult under the age of 26, you can stay on your parents' plan, and if your child has a pre-existing condition, insurance companies can't deny his or her coverage.
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. If you have a pre-existing condition and are having a problem finding coverage, the Affordable Care Act created a special insurance plan just for you.
Help for Small Businesses. If you're a small business owner, you may be eligible for tax credits to help provide insurance for your employees.
Free Preventive Care. If you're purchasing a new plan, you’ll get preventive care like cancer screenings, well-baby and well-child check-ups, and blood pressure or diabetes tests for free.
These aren't just talking points. These changes are saving people’s lives and saving you money, and we will continue our work to implement this landmark law and make our health care system better for all of us.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
Over the past few years, many Americans have seen their health insurance premiums skyrocket, while the quality of their health care declined. One of the reasons I pushed so hard to pass health care reform this year was to make sure that American consumers get what they pay for when it comes to their health care.
Today, we're launching a new provision of the Affordable Care Act that does exactly that. Next year, insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of the health insurance premiums you pay on your health care, instead of overhead costs like advertising and executive compensation. If they don't, they will be required to give you a rebate or cut your premiums starting in 2012.
I asked Nancy-Ann DeParle, the Director of the Office of Health Reform here at the White House, to break down what this means for you and why it's so important:
This new rules will make our health care marketplace more transparent and ensure you get the best value for your premium dollars. And it is just one of the many parts of the Affordable Care Act that are already making our health care system stronger. Here are just a few ways the Affordable Care Act is helping you and your family:
HealthCare.gov. This new website helps you find private health insurance coverage that's right for you and your family and now allows you to compare pricing for the options available to you. In 2014, there will be many more affordable private plan choices.
Patient's Bill of Rights. Insurance companies can no longer place lifetime limits on your care. If you're a young adult under the age of 26, you can stay on your parents' plan, and if your child has a pre-existing condition, insurance companies can't deny his or her coverage.
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. If you have a pre-existing condition and are having a problem finding coverage, the Affordable Care Act created a special insurance plan just for you.
Help for Small Businesses. If you're a small business owner, you may be eligible for tax credits to help provide insurance for your employees.
Free Preventive Care. If you're purchasing a new plan, you’ll get preventive care like cancer screenings, well-baby and well-child check-ups, and blood pressure or diabetes tests for free.
These aren't just talking points. These changes are saving people’s lives and saving you money, and we will continue our work to implement this landmark law and make our health care system better for all of us.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
2010/11/25
Good afternoon,
Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to come together with family and friends to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. It's also an important time to be thankful for our men and women in uniform and their families who risk everything so that we can be safe and free. And we must also remember those in our community who are in need of our help and support -- especially during these tough economic times.
In our family, we have a tradition: Every year on the day before Thanksgiving, we take some time as a family to help out people in our community who are in need. Today, we're handing out turkeys, stuffing, pumpkin pies and all the Thanksgiving fixings with our friends and family at Martha's Table, a local non-profit organization.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage all Americans to find a way to give back -- and maybe even start a family tradition of your own. Whether you volunteer at a local soup kitchen, visit the elderly at a nursing home or reach out to a neighbor or friend who comes from a military family, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community.
If you're not sure how to get started, visit Serve.gov.
President Obama and I wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to come together with family and friends to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. It's also an important time to be thankful for our men and women in uniform and their families who risk everything so that we can be safe and free. And we must also remember those in our community who are in need of our help and support -- especially during these tough economic times.
In our family, we have a tradition: Every year on the day before Thanksgiving, we take some time as a family to help out people in our community who are in need. Today, we're handing out turkeys, stuffing, pumpkin pies and all the Thanksgiving fixings with our friends and family at Martha's Table, a local non-profit organization.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage all Americans to find a way to give back -- and maybe even start a family tradition of your own. Whether you volunteer at a local soup kitchen, visit the elderly at a nursing home or reach out to a neighbor or friend who comes from a military family, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community.
If you're not sure how to get started, visit Serve.gov.
President Obama and I wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
2010/12/09
Good morning,
Earlier this week, President Obama laid out a framework for a compromise with Congress that ensures that middle-class families don’t get a tax increase, extends unemployment benefits for folks who are looking for work, and gives our economy a shot in the arm.
Like anything in Washington these days, there are a lot of opinions about this flying around. But it's always important to start with the facts. To help you understand exactly what is in this framework Austan Goolsbee, one of the President's chief economic advisors, took some time to break it down:
There are some things in this agreement you'll like and some things in here you might not. There are things in here that the President and I don’t like – like the temporary extension of tax breaks to the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and a more generous treatment of the estate tax than is warranted.
But what is at stake is the strength of our recovery and much needed relief for middle class families. The bottom line is that if Congress does not act to extend unemployment insurance, 2 million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance this month alone. And if we don’t extend middle class tax cuts, millions of families will see a spike in their tax bill when they can least afford it.
With that in mind, President Obama reached across the aisle to ensure that middle class families get a fair shake. Here are a few important points:
No tax hike for middle class families. This proposal would prevent a tax increase of over $3,000 for the typical family.
Money in your pocket through a reduction in the payroll tax. About 155 million workers will see a 2 percent reduction in their payroll taxes and American families can take advantage of the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Extension of unemployment benefits. Folks who have been looking for work in these tough times won’t lose their lifeline. This is also good news for local economies because unemployment insurance dollars are among the most likely to be spent quickly.
That's the deal, folks, and it's a good one for America's middle class. Take a moment to watch Austan break it down, and I think you'll agree:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whiteboard
Sincerely,
Vice President Joe Biden
Earlier this week, President Obama laid out a framework for a compromise with Congress that ensures that middle-class families don’t get a tax increase, extends unemployment benefits for folks who are looking for work, and gives our economy a shot in the arm.
Like anything in Washington these days, there are a lot of opinions about this flying around. But it's always important to start with the facts. To help you understand exactly what is in this framework Austan Goolsbee, one of the President's chief economic advisors, took some time to break it down:
There are some things in this agreement you'll like and some things in here you might not. There are things in here that the President and I don’t like – like the temporary extension of tax breaks to the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and a more generous treatment of the estate tax than is warranted.
But what is at stake is the strength of our recovery and much needed relief for middle class families. The bottom line is that if Congress does not act to extend unemployment insurance, 2 million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance this month alone. And if we don’t extend middle class tax cuts, millions of families will see a spike in their tax bill when they can least afford it.
With that in mind, President Obama reached across the aisle to ensure that middle class families get a fair shake. Here are a few important points:
No tax hike for middle class families. This proposal would prevent a tax increase of over $3,000 for the typical family.
Money in your pocket through a reduction in the payroll tax. About 155 million workers will see a 2 percent reduction in their payroll taxes and American families can take advantage of the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Extension of unemployment benefits. Folks who have been looking for work in these tough times won’t lose their lifeline. This is also good news for local economies because unemployment insurance dollars are among the most likely to be spent quickly.
That's the deal, folks, and it's a good one for America's middle class. Take a moment to watch Austan break it down, and I think you'll agree:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whiteboard
Sincerely,
Vice President Joe Biden
2010/12/16
Good morning,
As a mother, I know that there is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our children. That's why I was so thrilled to join my husband Monday when he signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act into law.
By helping provide healthier, more nutritious school meals to more children, this legislation is an important step toward ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and every child has the basic nutrition they need to learn, grow and pursue their dreams.
Yesterday, Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass had a very special guest in the kitchen to talk about the importance of having high-quality and delicious school meals:
Giving our kids a good start to their day and their future is something that’s very near to my heart. That's why earlier this year, I started Let’s Move! a nationwide campaign to address the alarming childhood obesity rates in our nation so we can raise a healthier generation of kids.
Everyone knows that a child's health is ultimately the parents' responsibility. Everywhere I go, I meet parents who are doing their best to keep their kids healthy by cutting down on desserts, serving more fruits and vegetables and trying to teach their kids to eat well and stay active. But kids spend much of their day at school, and for many children, school meals are their main source of nourishment. So it's critical that all the hard work parents do to keep their kids healthy isn't undone by the foods in the school cafeteria or the vending machines in the hallway.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a big step in the right direction. Here are just a few things this legislation will do:
115,000 more students will have access to school meal programs. This bill will also cut red tape and paperwork, making it easier for parents to enroll their children in these programs.
Nutritional standards will help ensure that our kids have access to healthy food options.
Communities and schools will receive assistance in setting up local farm-to-school networks to ensure that more fresh local foods are used in school meals.
Getting the proper nutrition has a major impact not just on our children's health, but on their performance at school. Students who get the nutrition they need perform better in the classroom and miss fewer days of school. And lunchtime is a great time to teach our students important lessons about healthy eating that will last them a lifetime.
As parents who love our children and as citizens who love our country, it's our duty to give children every opportunity to fulfill their potential. Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we’re one step closer to realizing that goal.
Sincerely,
First Lady Michelle Obama
As a mother, I know that there is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our children. That's why I was so thrilled to join my husband Monday when he signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act into law.
By helping provide healthier, more nutritious school meals to more children, this legislation is an important step toward ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and every child has the basic nutrition they need to learn, grow and pursue their dreams.
Yesterday, Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass had a very special guest in the kitchen to talk about the importance of having high-quality and delicious school meals:
Giving our kids a good start to their day and their future is something that’s very near to my heart. That's why earlier this year, I started Let’s Move! a nationwide campaign to address the alarming childhood obesity rates in our nation so we can raise a healthier generation of kids.
Everyone knows that a child's health is ultimately the parents' responsibility. Everywhere I go, I meet parents who are doing their best to keep their kids healthy by cutting down on desserts, serving more fruits and vegetables and trying to teach their kids to eat well and stay active. But kids spend much of their day at school, and for many children, school meals are their main source of nourishment. So it's critical that all the hard work parents do to keep their kids healthy isn't undone by the foods in the school cafeteria or the vending machines in the hallway.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a big step in the right direction. Here are just a few things this legislation will do:
115,000 more students will have access to school meal programs. This bill will also cut red tape and paperwork, making it easier for parents to enroll their children in these programs.
Nutritional standards will help ensure that our kids have access to healthy food options.
Communities and schools will receive assistance in setting up local farm-to-school networks to ensure that more fresh local foods are used in school meals.
Getting the proper nutrition has a major impact not just on our children's health, but on their performance at school. Students who get the nutrition they need perform better in the classroom and miss fewer days of school. And lunchtime is a great time to teach our students important lessons about healthy eating that will last them a lifetime.
As parents who love our children and as citizens who love our country, it's our duty to give children every opportunity to fulfill their potential. Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we’re one step closer to realizing that goal.
Sincerely,
First Lady Michelle Obama
2010/12/23
Good morning,
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year at the White House.
The White House truly feels like the “People’s House,” as folks of all ages from across the country pass through the halls enjoying the beautiful décor and celebrating the history here at every turn.
More than 100,000 visitors will come to the White House this holiday season, and we wanted to give everyone a chance to share in the magic of the White House during the holidays.
That’s why one of my favorite decorations this year is the Military Appreciation Tree where visitors can leave their holiday messages for our troops and their families, many of whom will spend this holiday season far away from their loved ones. You can send your own season’s greetings to our men and women in uniform and our military families, as well as see all the holiday decorations and watch behind-the-scenes videos, on WhiteHouse.gov.
This year’s White House theme, Simple Gifts, is a celebration of the simple things that bring joy during the holidays, like spending time with family and friends and serving those in need in our communities. And it’s a reminder to us all, particularly in these trying times, that some of the greatest gifts in our lives are those that don’t cost a thing.
On behalf of Barack, Malia, Sasha, and Bo, I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year at the White House.
The White House truly feels like the “People’s House,” as folks of all ages from across the country pass through the halls enjoying the beautiful décor and celebrating the history here at every turn.
More than 100,000 visitors will come to the White House this holiday season, and we wanted to give everyone a chance to share in the magic of the White House during the holidays.
That’s why one of my favorite decorations this year is the Military Appreciation Tree where visitors can leave their holiday messages for our troops and their families, many of whom will spend this holiday season far away from their loved ones. You can send your own season’s greetings to our men and women in uniform and our military families, as well as see all the holiday decorations and watch behind-the-scenes videos, on WhiteHouse.gov.
This year’s White House theme, Simple Gifts, is a celebration of the simple things that bring joy during the holidays, like spending time with family and friends and serving those in need in our communities. And it’s a reminder to us all, particularly in these trying times, that some of the greatest gifts in our lives are those that don’t cost a thing.
On behalf of Barack, Malia, Sasha, and Bo, I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
2011/01/09
Good afternoon,
Yesterday, we got some good news about the American economy.
113,000 new private sector jobs were created by America’s businesses in December, the twelfth consecutive month of positive job growth in this country. In 2010, 1.3 million private sector jobs were added, the strongest job growth since 2006. And thanks to strong jobs numbers during the fourth quarter of 2010, our unemployment rate has dropped .4 percentage points to 9.4%.
These numbers are encouraging, but the fact remains there are still too many Americans who are out of work and too many families who are struggling to get by in these tough times.
In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the jobs numbers and the importance of working together to grow our economy:
Growing our economy and creating jobs is President Obama's number one priority.
That's why the President worked so hard to extend tax cuts for the middle class and unemployment insurance for folks who are looking for work. These measures will help provide a vital boost to help spur stronger economic growth and job creation by America’s businesses in 2011 and provide some relief for families who are still struggling.
Now to the bad news. The new Congress seems more interested in re-hashing the political battles of the past two years than in moving our economy forward.
This week, the new Congress has, as its first act, announced their plans to attempt to repeal the law. While this move isn't surprising, it is disappointing, particularly since repealing the health care law would increase costs for families and businesses, hand control back to insurance companies to deny, drop or limit your coverage, and reduce job growth.
In addition, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that repealing the law would add more than a trillion dollars to the deficit over two decades.
Our focus in the coming months must be on creating jobs and growing the economy. We simply can't afford the symbolic battles and politics as usual in Washington.
Sincerely,
David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President
Yesterday, we got some good news about the American economy.
113,000 new private sector jobs were created by America’s businesses in December, the twelfth consecutive month of positive job growth in this country. In 2010, 1.3 million private sector jobs were added, the strongest job growth since 2006. And thanks to strong jobs numbers during the fourth quarter of 2010, our unemployment rate has dropped .4 percentage points to 9.4%.
These numbers are encouraging, but the fact remains there are still too many Americans who are out of work and too many families who are struggling to get by in these tough times.
In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the jobs numbers and the importance of working together to grow our economy:
Growing our economy and creating jobs is President Obama's number one priority.
That's why the President worked so hard to extend tax cuts for the middle class and unemployment insurance for folks who are looking for work. These measures will help provide a vital boost to help spur stronger economic growth and job creation by America’s businesses in 2011 and provide some relief for families who are still struggling.
Now to the bad news. The new Congress seems more interested in re-hashing the political battles of the past two years than in moving our economy forward.
This week, the new Congress has, as its first act, announced their plans to attempt to repeal the law. While this move isn't surprising, it is disappointing, particularly since repealing the health care law would increase costs for families and businesses, hand control back to insurance companies to deny, drop or limit your coverage, and reduce job growth.
In addition, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that repealing the law would add more than a trillion dollars to the deficit over two decades.
Our focus in the coming months must be on creating jobs and growing the economy. We simply can't afford the symbolic battles and politics as usual in Washington.
Sincerely,
David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President
2011/01/20
Good afternoon,
Today the House of Representatives plans to vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act, landmark health reform legislation that President Obama signed into law last March.
My White House colleague Stephanie Cutter explains the harmful effect repeal would have on the nation’s economy – and your own pocketbook – in our latest White House White Board video:
President Obama is willing to work with Democrats and Republicans to improve the Affordable Care Act, but we can’t afford to go backward.
It’s fair for all of us to ask, “What does health reform mean to me?” – particularly if you already have insurance you like.
Without the health care law, we would return to the days when insurance companies could deny, limit or cap your care. Insurance companies could continue to place lifetime limits on coverage even if you need it, increase premiums without any accountability or recourse for consumers, and deny children health care due to pre-existing conditions.
Under the law, families will pay less for their insurance premiums than they would if the law is repealed. An insurance company that tries to implement an unreasonable premium increase will be forced to publicly justify it. And your premium dollars will go further thanks to a provision of the law that requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of your premium dollars on your health care, rather than executive compensation and advertising.
Health reform is about much more than protecting American consumers – it also boosts the American economy, lowering costs and creating jobs.
And since the health care law was passed last year, our economy has created over 1 million private sector jobs and has grown at an average annual rate of 2.7 percent. There’s a lot more work to be done, but repealing the Affordable Care Act would be a step backward for our economy.
In fact, Harvard economist David Cutler estimates repeal would cost us between 250,000-400,000 jobs per year, which means millions of new jobs lost over the next decade.
As conversations about health reform bubble up in news shows and at water coolers over the coming days, I hope you’ll find this information helpful. Everyday we’re working hard to implement this important legislation, and we will certainly keep you updated with our progress.
Sincerely,
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Director of the White House Office of Health Reform
Today the House of Representatives plans to vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act, landmark health reform legislation that President Obama signed into law last March.
My White House colleague Stephanie Cutter explains the harmful effect repeal would have on the nation’s economy – and your own pocketbook – in our latest White House White Board video:
President Obama is willing to work with Democrats and Republicans to improve the Affordable Care Act, but we can’t afford to go backward.
It’s fair for all of us to ask, “What does health reform mean to me?” – particularly if you already have insurance you like.
Without the health care law, we would return to the days when insurance companies could deny, limit or cap your care. Insurance companies could continue to place lifetime limits on coverage even if you need it, increase premiums without any accountability or recourse for consumers, and deny children health care due to pre-existing conditions.
Under the law, families will pay less for their insurance premiums than they would if the law is repealed. An insurance company that tries to implement an unreasonable premium increase will be forced to publicly justify it. And your premium dollars will go further thanks to a provision of the law that requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of your premium dollars on your health care, rather than executive compensation and advertising.
Health reform is about much more than protecting American consumers – it also boosts the American economy, lowering costs and creating jobs.
And since the health care law was passed last year, our economy has created over 1 million private sector jobs and has grown at an average annual rate of 2.7 percent. There’s a lot more work to be done, but repealing the Affordable Care Act would be a step backward for our economy.
In fact, Harvard economist David Cutler estimates repeal would cost us between 250,000-400,000 jobs per year, which means millions of new jobs lost over the next decade.
As conversations about health reform bubble up in news shows and at water coolers over the coming days, I hope you’ll find this information helpful. Everyday we’re working hard to implement this important legislation, and we will certainly keep you updated with our progress.
Sincerely,
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Director of the White House Office of Health Reform
2011/01/22
Good afternoon,
I just started at the White House as a Senior Advisor to President Obama, and over the past few days we've all been increasingly focused on Tuesday’s State of the Union Address (9 p.m. EST). The President will talk about what America needs to do to create jobs today, make America more competitive tomorrow, and win the future for our children and our country.
And to make sure that you are part of the discussion about America's future, we've been working on a number of ways to use our online program to give you and Americans across the country a chance to participate in this important event and ask your own questions. That starts immediately after the speech ends, when White House policy experts will be available at WhiteHouse.gov to discuss the issues the President raised in the speech and to take your questions and feedback.
We've also lined up a series of live online events with President Obama and other senior Administration officials on Wednesday and Thursday to answer as many of your questions as possible.
Check out the lineup of events and learn how to participate:
If you only do one thing right now, be sure to mark this on your calendar:
President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union Address
Tuesday, January 25, 9 p.m. EST
Watch live @ WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU
I'll be in touch next week with more details and reminders about all of the ways you can engage with the White House around the State of the Union Address.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
2011/01/26
Good morning,
Tonight at 9 p.m. EST, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address and outline his vision for putting aside the politics that divide us and moving forward to create jobs, up our game to out-compete in the global economy, and win the future for our children and our country.
This year we're trying something new. As President Obama addresses the Nation, we'll offer a companion stream of visual aids, including charts and quick stats about what’s happening in the country. You can view this feature at WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU.
Immediately following the speech, stay tuned for our live Open for Questions event with policy experts from the White House answering your questions about key issues in the speech.
Watch the speech and submit your questions:
Throughout the week, we'll have plenty of ways for you to get involved and ask questions of President Obama and other senior Administration officials about the State of the Union Address. See a full line-up of events and find out how to submit your questions:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU
Don't forget to tune in tonight at 9 p.m. EST!
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
Tonight at 9 p.m. EST, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address and outline his vision for putting aside the politics that divide us and moving forward to create jobs, up our game to out-compete in the global economy, and win the future for our children and our country.
This year we're trying something new. As President Obama addresses the Nation, we'll offer a companion stream of visual aids, including charts and quick stats about what’s happening in the country. You can view this feature at WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU.
Immediately following the speech, stay tuned for our live Open for Questions event with policy experts from the White House answering your questions about key issues in the speech.
Watch the speech and submit your questions:
Throughout the week, we'll have plenty of ways for you to get involved and ask questions of President Obama and other senior Administration officials about the State of the Union Address. See a full line-up of events and find out how to submit your questions:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU
Don't forget to tune in tonight at 9 p.m. EST!
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
2011/01/27
Good afternoon,
Did you catch President Obama's State of the Union Address last night? If you missed it, it's worth a watch:
As the President said last night, the most important contest we face as a nation is not between our political parties – it's a contest among our competitors across the globe for the jobs and industries of the future. It’s about winning the future.
To win that contest, we must out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. We must take responsibility for our deficit and reform the way government works, so that it’s leaner, smarter and better equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
But last night's speech was just the start of this conversation.
We want to hear directly from you, and President Obama himself will be answering some of your questions in a live interview tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. EST. And throughout the day tomorrow, policy experts from the White House and around the Administration will be available for in-depth discussions on some of the critical issues that affect you.
Learn more about these events and find out how you can submit your questions:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Your-Questions
Here's the lineup for tomorrow on WhiteHouse.gov/live:
11:30 a.m. EST: Economy Roundtable with Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
1:00 p.m. EST: Foreign Policy Roundtable with Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor
2:30 p.m. EST: Live YouTube interview with President Barack Obama
3:15 p.m. EST: Education Roundtable with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
4:30 p.m. EST: Health Care Roundtable with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
We're looking forward to answering your questions tomorrow.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
Did you catch President Obama's State of the Union Address last night? If you missed it, it's worth a watch:
As the President said last night, the most important contest we face as a nation is not between our political parties – it's a contest among our competitors across the globe for the jobs and industries of the future. It’s about winning the future.
To win that contest, we must out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. We must take responsibility for our deficit and reform the way government works, so that it’s leaner, smarter and better equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
But last night's speech was just the start of this conversation.
We want to hear directly from you, and President Obama himself will be answering some of your questions in a live interview tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. EST. And throughout the day tomorrow, policy experts from the White House and around the Administration will be available for in-depth discussions on some of the critical issues that affect you.
Learn more about these events and find out how you can submit your questions:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Your-Questions
Here's the lineup for tomorrow on WhiteHouse.gov/live:
11:30 a.m. EST: Economy Roundtable with Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
1:00 p.m. EST: Foreign Policy Roundtable with Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor
2:30 p.m. EST: Live YouTube interview with President Barack Obama
3:15 p.m. EST: Education Roundtable with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
4:30 p.m. EST: Health Care Roundtable with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
We're looking forward to answering your questions tomorrow.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
2011/01/28
Today, President Obama and senior officials from around the Administration will be answering your questions about the State of the Union Address and the President’s vision to win the future. Be sure to tune in - you can watch all the live question and answer sessions today on WhiteHouse.gov/live.
Here’s the lineup for today on WhiteHouse.gov/live:
11:30 a.m. EST: Economy Roundtable with Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
1:00 p.m. EST: Foreign Policy Roundtable with Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor
2:30 p.m. EST: Live YouTube interview with President Barack Obama
3:15 p.m. EST: Education Roundtable with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
4:30 p.m. EST: Health Care Roundtable with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the President’s State of the Union Address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu
Stay Connected
Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr iTunes
Here’s the lineup for today on WhiteHouse.gov/live:
11:30 a.m. EST: Economy Roundtable with Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
1:00 p.m. EST: Foreign Policy Roundtable with Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor
2:30 p.m. EST: Live YouTube interview with President Barack Obama
3:15 p.m. EST: Education Roundtable with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
4:30 p.m. EST: Health Care Roundtable with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the President’s State of the Union Address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu
Stay Connected
Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr iTunes
2011/02/10
I want you to know about a new opportunity to connect with the White House called "Advise the Advisor." It’s a pretty simple idea: one of the President's advisors posts a short update about what’s going on here at the White House and poses a question for anyone to answer.
So earlier this week, I took the first shot. My question was about how innovation impacts the economy in communities across the country and what barriers to innovation should be on our radar.
Take a look and share your thoughts:
We've already received some great feedback. Take this response from Chuck in California:
Our community is rural. We need better access to high-speed Internet...I know that there are many pressing needs in our country, but I hope that, in the long term, some provision will be made to include rural and remote communities in the digital surge that is sweeping the world.
Communities like Chuck’s are why President Obama is travelling to Marquette, Michigan tomorrow. Marquette is a small town that's using high-speed wireless Internet to help businesses grow and students gain access to a wider array of education opportunities through distance learning.
In Marquette, the President will talk about his plan to win the future by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world. Part of that plan is a new National Wireless Initiative that will help extend the next generation of wireless coverage to 98 percent of Americans and help businesses ship their goods, products and ideas anywhere in the world. This initiative will help address a broader problem: today only 65 percent of American households have broadband access compared to 90 percent in South Korea.
Our team here is going to review all of the answers we get in by the end of the day Friday and pull together a report we’ll publish to WhiteHouse.gov. So if you have thoughts about innovation in America, take a moment to share them:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/advise
Thank you,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
2011/02/16
Good afternoon,
Just a few weeks ago, in my State of the Union Address, I spoke about how America can win the future by out-educating, out-innovating and out-building the rest of the world. I also talked about taking responsibility for our Nation's deficits, because we can’t win the future if we pass on a mountain of debt to our children and grandchildren.
Yesterday, I sent my budget proposal for 2012 to Congress, and I wanted to take a moment to explain some of the tough choices we had to make so we can afford to invest in our future.
Like American families, the Federal Government must live within its means. That means eliminating wasteful spending and cutting programs that aren't working. It also means that programs, like Community Development Block Grants, which I care about deeply, need to be scaled back to confront the crushing debt we face.
You can learn more about the budget proposal and watch Jack Lew, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, explain our approach here:
Getting our fiscal house in order requires shared sacrifice. But even in these tough times, we have a responsibility to make smart investments in our Nation's future.
That's why we must invest in innovation to ensure that the jobs and industries of the future are built right here in America. It's why we need to invest in roads, bridges, high-speed rail and high-speed Internet to help our businesses ship their goods and ideas around the world.
And it's why America must invest in education so that all of our children have an opportunity to fulfill their potential. Even though parents are the key to a child's education, we have a responsibility to ensure that America's students are prepared to compete and thrive in the 21st century global economy.
Yesterday, I visited Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology near Baltimore, Maryland. At Parkville, students gain a strong background in math, science and critical thinking skills that they will need to compete for the jobs of the 21st century. In fact, the most popular subject in their magnet program is engineering.
Investing in schools like Parkville, investing in quality teachers, investing in higher education – these are down payments on our children's and our country's future.
Here are just a few investments in education that I've proposed in the budget I sent to Congress:
Preparing 100,000 new math, science and engineering teachers.
Expanding Race to the Top, a reform program that has led more than 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning for less than 1 percent of what we spend on education each year.
Helping more kids afford college by making the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent and strengthening Pell Grants for 9 million students.
Here in Washington, we have to take a cue from millions of American families who have been tightening their belts while continuing to invest in their future. And that's exactly what my budget proposal does – it puts us on a path to live within our means so we can invest in our future.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
Just a few weeks ago, in my State of the Union Address, I spoke about how America can win the future by out-educating, out-innovating and out-building the rest of the world. I also talked about taking responsibility for our Nation's deficits, because we can’t win the future if we pass on a mountain of debt to our children and grandchildren.
Yesterday, I sent my budget proposal for 2012 to Congress, and I wanted to take a moment to explain some of the tough choices we had to make so we can afford to invest in our future.
Like American families, the Federal Government must live within its means. That means eliminating wasteful spending and cutting programs that aren't working. It also means that programs, like Community Development Block Grants, which I care about deeply, need to be scaled back to confront the crushing debt we face.
You can learn more about the budget proposal and watch Jack Lew, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, explain our approach here:
Getting our fiscal house in order requires shared sacrifice. But even in these tough times, we have a responsibility to make smart investments in our Nation's future.
That's why we must invest in innovation to ensure that the jobs and industries of the future are built right here in America. It's why we need to invest in roads, bridges, high-speed rail and high-speed Internet to help our businesses ship their goods and ideas around the world.
And it's why America must invest in education so that all of our children have an opportunity to fulfill their potential. Even though parents are the key to a child's education, we have a responsibility to ensure that America's students are prepared to compete and thrive in the 21st century global economy.
Yesterday, I visited Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology near Baltimore, Maryland. At Parkville, students gain a strong background in math, science and critical thinking skills that they will need to compete for the jobs of the 21st century. In fact, the most popular subject in their magnet program is engineering.
Investing in schools like Parkville, investing in quality teachers, investing in higher education – these are down payments on our children's and our country's future.
Here are just a few investments in education that I've proposed in the budget I sent to Congress:
Preparing 100,000 new math, science and engineering teachers.
Expanding Race to the Top, a reform program that has led more than 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning for less than 1 percent of what we spend on education each year.
Helping more kids afford college by making the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent and strengthening Pell Grants for 9 million students.
Here in Washington, we have to take a cue from millions of American families who have been tightening their belts while continuing to invest in their future. And that's exactly what my budget proposal does – it puts us on a path to live within our means so we can invest in our future.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama