Politics. On Point.

Funding creates an estimated 4,750 new jobs; Helps newly insured access care   Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced today $295 million in Affordable Care Act funding to 1,195 health centers in every U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin to expand primary care services. Today’s awards enable  health centers to increase access to comprehensive primary health care services by hiring an estimated 4,750 new staff including new health care providers, staying open for longer hours, and expanding the care they provide to include new services such as oral health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and vision services.  These investments will help health centers reach an estimated 1.5 million new patients nationwide, including over 137,000 oral health patients and more than 38,000 mental and substance abuse patients. “Health centers are a key part of how the Affordable Care Act is working to impro...

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama addressed the media, then took questions regarding the government shutdown, healthcare, the debt ceiling and other concerning issues he says the Republicans are being uncooperative about. House Speaker John Boehner took to the podium moments later arguing the case that President Obama is unwilling to negotiate. It's time both parties but an end this war of words and take action to put Americans back to work and on solid footing. Thankfully, good Samaritans have come forward to assist Americans in their time of need where the shutdown has affected everyday Americans.  (See military | See education ). Related On the Affordable Care Act, Republicans have fought the president tooth and nail. Oct 2008 : "You'll never get elected and pass healthcare." Nov 2008: "We'll never let you pass healthcare." Jan 2009: "We're gonna shout you down every time you try to pass healthcare." July 2009: ...

Health care law gives women control over their care, offers free preventive services to 47 million women Forty-seven million women are getting greater control over their health care and access to eight new prevention-related health care services without paying more out of their own pocket beginning Aug. 1, 2012, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. Previously some insurance companies did not cover these preventive services for women at all under their health plans, while some women had to pay deductibles or copays for the care they needed to stay healthy. The new rules in the health care law requiring coverage of these services take effect at the next renewal date – on or after Aug. 1, 2012—for most health insurance plans. For the first time ever, women will have access to even more life-saving preventive care free of charge. According to a new HHS report also released today, approximately 47 million women are in health plans that must cover...

Free preventive care also provided to 32.5 million in Medicare Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the Affordable Care Act provided approximately 54 million Americans with at least one new free preventive service in 2011 through their private health insurance plans. Secretary Sebelius also announced that an estimated 32.5 million people with Medicare received at least one free preventive benefit in 2011, including the new Annual Wellness Visit, since the health reform law was enacted. Together, this means an estimated 86 million Americans were helped by health reform’s prevention coverage improvements. The new data were released in two new reports from HHS. “Americans of all ages can now get the preventive services they need, like mammograms and the new Annual Wellness Visit, free of charge, as a result of the new health care law,” Secretary Sebelius said. “With more people taking advantage of these benefits, more lives can be saved, and co...

The First Lady helps Americans with healthier menu options for a healthier plate. As I look at the new MyPlate icon presented today by First Lady Michelle, USDA’s Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak and US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, I am reminded of a young boy at a gathering who had nothing but meatballs and cookies and on his plate. “You’re plate doesn’t have anything green on it”, I said to him, as I suggested he get some of the lovely salad and fruit that was also being offered. Reluctantly, he headed over the table with the fruit and salad. With the new MyPlate icon, kids and parents everywhere can make better food choices. The USDA and First Lady Michelle Obama launch new icon to help Americans choose healthy menu items, and portion sizes. The icon is a departure from MyPyramid. Visit MyPlate.gov.  "This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we're eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going ...

Hear the First Lady on Let's Move! Guess who's turning 1?  Or should we ask:  Guess what's turning 1? It's the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign.  To mark the momentous occasion of the First Lady encouraging America's children (and their parents) to get fit, and eat healthy, the First Lady will embark upon a series of public speaking events, beginning next week, that include The Today Show , and Live with Regis & Kelly . The First Lady will also visit a local Atlanta school to highlight how the school is working with children to promote the principles of Let’s Move! Additionally, national and community leaders will join the First Lady on a series of conference calls to detail what has been accomplished, to share best practices, and to discuss the campaign’s next phase. She will speak with Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin on a Let's Move Medical Community Call , as well as with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on ...

Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius is adamantly against any GOP attempts to repeal President Obama's health care bill. She writes in today's Chicago Tribune in an op-ed piece : "Unless we want to take coverage away from cancer patients, reduce oversight for insurance companies, raise prescription drug costs for seniors, weaken Medicare, add $1 trillion to the deficit and undo dozens of other reforms that are improving health around the country, we can't afford repeal. Repeal would also rip up the new Patient's Bill of Rights , which outlaws the worst abuses of health insurers. Thanks to the new law, insurance companies can no longer cancel your coverage without cause when you get sick. They may no longer put lifetime dollar limits on your benefits — limits that often meant your coverage was gone when you needed it most. And by 2014, most annual dollar limits on benefits will be a thing of the past." Another notably positive of t...

Let me just say that we continue to be in awe of our First Lady, Michelle Obama who, I might add is not letting any grass (White House garden or other) grow under her feet.  She continues to stay busy and we love what she is doing with young people. The First Lady was scheduled to have another Youth Series at the White House yesterday where she planned to host young people to engage in a youth fitness tennis clinic with the 2010 Wimbledon Champion, Serena Williams .   As you know, Williams cut her foot and was unable to attend.  Then, it rained yesterday and the entire event was postponed (we're disappointed), only to be rescheduled at a later date. But, First Lady Michelle doesn't let rain (or anything else) stop her as her week has already been full of activity with events that included a visit to Panama to take on BP's oil spill ( looking great doing so), speaking at the NAACP's 101st Anniversary , hosting a live chat announcing the relaunch of her Let'...

President Obama comforts a teary-eyed Amy Wilhite at yesterday's briefing marking the Three Month  Anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.  Photo/CD Brown. Today the president remarked on the 90 Day Anniversary of his signing of the Affordable Care Act into law, and the New Patient's Bill of Rights. Speaking from the East Room the president spoke on ways his administration is planning to put into affect provisions of the new law and also announced the release of new regulations implementing the Patient's Bill of Rights protections included in the Affordable Care Act. "This law will cut costs and make coverage more affordable for families and small businesses. It’s reform that begins to bring down our government’s long-term structural deficit. It’s reform that finally extends the opportunity to purchase coverage to the millions who currently don’t have it and includes tough new consumer protections to guarantee great...

Patient Care Information With A Stroke Of A Key Vice President Joe Biden, along with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the selection of 15 communities across the country to serve as health information technology  pilot programs through the Beacon Community  Cooperative Agreement Program. The program will include $220 million in grants to build and strengthen health IT infrastructure and health information exchange capabilities, including strong privacy and security measures for data exchange, within 15 communities. An additional $15 million will be provided for technical assistance to the communities and to evaluate the success of the program. “Health information technology will make our health care system more efficient and improve care for every American,” Secretary Sebelius said. “The Beacon Community Program is a critical step forward as we work to expand the use of health information technology in hospitals and doctor’s office...

"On Behalf of My Mother" President Obama signs the historic health care bill and says the bill is on behalf of his mother who grappled with insurance companies during her illness with cancer. "She could have been focusing on getting well, not fighting with the insurance companies", said Obama. "So, yes, this has been a difficult two years. There will be difficult days ahead. But let us always remember the lesson of this day -- and the lesson of history -- that we, as a people, do not shrink from a challenge. We overcome it. We don’t shrink from our responsibilities. We embrace it. We don’t fear the future. We shape the future. That’s what we do. That’s who we are. That makes us the United States of America."   What The Health Care Reform Will Mean - As Told By The President "This year, tens of thousands of uninsured Americans with a preexisting condition and parents whose children have a preexisting condition will finally be able to purch...

Pro-Life Supporters Say Bill Supports Abortion. To an almost packed Patriot Center (who knew the reason why Sections 109-114 were blocked off, and most of the audience viewed the president either from the side or rear?), President Obama made one last rally cry to plug his health care reform bill before the bill is to be passed this weekend. President Obama speaking at George Mason University's Patriot Center. Photo/CD Brown. Amid cheers from the crowd of "Yes, We Can!" and "Fired Up. Ready To Go!" (and a few I Love Yous) Mr. Obama explained to the audience, many of whom were students, that health care reform can't wait. "George Mason, the time for reform is right now. Not a year from now, not five years from now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now, it’s now", said president Obama. Many who attended the gathering liked what the president is proposing. Folks we talked to after the rally were particularly in favo...