Week Thirty-Eight

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Why Small Businesses Need Health Care Reform
The Administration listed the top reasons health care reform is needed by the nation’s small businesses, including: (as listed on whitehouse.gov)

• “The same skyrocketing costs that are devastating family budgets and exploding our national deficit are also threatening the viability of American businesses.”

• “Lacking the bargaining power of large firms, small businesses pay as much as 18 percent more for the same health insurance. They are also at risk for the possibility that one of their workers will become seriously ill – which can dramatically increase their premiums in subsequent years.”

• “Fewer and fewer small businesses are choosing to offer insurance to their employees. And those that do offer coverage tend to have less generous policies and are less likely to offer a choice of plans. Entrepreneurs and small business employees are nearly three times as likely to be uninsured as their counterparts at large firms.”

• “Health insurance reform will reverse the disturbing trends in our current system and spur job creation in small businesses.”

• “By creating a health insurance exchange, reform will give small businesses and their employees more affordable options. Small firms that choose to offer health insurance to their employees will be eligible for tax credits. And, small businesses that don’t offer coverage will not be penalized.”

• “Reform will crack down on some of the insurance industry's worst practices. They will no longer be able to arbitrarily penalize small businesses if one or more of their employees become seriously ill. Nor will they be allowed to deny coverage to small businesses or their employees because of pre-existing conditions.”

• “And because potential entrepreneurs will no longer be discouraged from pursuing their dreams due to a lack of affordable and reliable health insurance options, reform will also lead to the creation of more small businesses. This is crucial given the economic downturn that began almost two years ago, as we know that small businesses and new startups are the drivers of job creation as the economy pulls out of recession.”

President Awards Citation to Vietnams’ Alpha Troop
President Obama bestowed the Presidential Unit Citation to the entire Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry -- known as the Blackhorse Regiment during the Vietnam War. The President honored the veterans by saying: “Now, these men might be a little bit older, a little bit grayer. But make no mistake -- these soldiers define the meaning of bravery and heroism. It was March 1970, deep in the jungles of Vietnam. And through the static and crackle of their radios Alpha Troop heard that another unit was in trouble. That’s when Alpha Troop’s captain gave the order: “Saddle up and move out.” It’s the story of how this team of some 200 men set out to save their fellow Americans.”
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

First Lady Hula Hoops on South Lawn
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the first ever Healthy Kids Fair on the White House South Lawn. The event, which included fun and games, was designed to teach families the importance of healthy living. Mrs. Obama reminded the attendees of the childhood obesity epidemic. Health Fair activities included learning to cook nutritious meals and snacks, and fun exercises such as jump roping and hula hooping. The visitors were thrilled to see the First Lady join the fun!
Thursday, October 22, 2009

The President Signs Legislation to Benefit Veterans
President Obama signed the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The bill requires the VA’s budget to be passed a year in advance, to better prepare for needed services to Veterans and their family members. With the signing of the bill the President commented, “In short, this is common-sense reform. It promotes accountability at the VA. It ensures oversight by Congress. It is fiscally responsible by not adding a dime to the deficit. And it ensures that Veterans’ health care will no longer be held hostage to the annual budget battles in Washington.”
Friday, October 23, 2009
Obama Visits M.I.T.
President Obama addressed a group of 750 students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He encouraged the use of technology to meet his Administration’s clean energy goals, telling the students, “This is the nation that harnessed electricity and the energy contained in the atom, that developed the steamboat and the modern solar cell. This is the nation that pushed westward and then looked skyward. We have always sought out new frontiers and this generation is no different.”
Monday, October 26, 2009

President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for H1N1 (Swine) Flu
As H1N1 rates increased across the country, the President signed a National Emergency Declaration on H1N1 that allows healthcare systems to quickly implement disaster plans should they become overwhelmed.
Obama Visits Troops in Jacksonville
President Barack Obama spoke to servicemen and women at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. He also honored the fourteen Americans killed in the crash in Afghanistan that morning saying, “Fourteen Americans gave their lives. And our prayers are with these service members, their civilian colleagues, and the families who loved them. And while no words can ease the ache in their hearts today, may they find some comfort in knowing this: Like all those who give their lives in service to America, they were doing their duty and they were doing this nation proud.”