Obama Embraces Earlier State Flexibility On Health Care Reform

President Barack Obama continues to fight over the health care reform as seen in a speech made recently in Washington.  During this speech, he discussed to a group of governors how Obama is willing to give earlier state flexibility on the health care reform.  Obama also came to a conclusion he would allow states to apply for innovation waivers three years earlier than scheduled.  This waiver will make states exempt from numerous requirements in the law with few circumstances.  Senior administation officials also discussed the criteria that must be met for states to be eligible for this waiver, which include:

• "Provide coverage plans at least as comprehensive as would have been available under health insurance exchanges in the bill."
• "Provide coverage as affordable as would have been available under the bill."
• "Provide coverage for as many people as would have been covered under the bill."
• "Budget neutrality"

Although Obama's conclusion is least likely to affect individual mandates, it offers states a chance to use alternatives to opposed provisions. 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/28/obama.health.care/index.html

Secretary Of Commerce Joined President For First Meeting of President's Council

Secretary Gary Locke joined President Barack Obama for a meeting about the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.  The members of the Council represented a variety of different sectors of the economy, which brought diverse views on numerous ideas.  The Council's main focus was to find new ways to promote growth by encouraging businesses to hire, educating and training workers to be competitive, and bringing the best jobs and businesses to the US.


 


They discussed how to continue the dialogue between the private sector and government.  They also discussed how to help entrepreneurs get the fincances needed to get started and how to help exsisting business owners expand.  I feel as if this meeting was a first big step towards achievement.




This ties into our AP Government class because the last couple of days we've had an assignment on the different cabinet departments.

http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2011/02/24/secretary-locke-joined-president-obama-first-meeting-presidents-council-jobs-and-com

Should All Americans Have The Right To Health Care ?

     Health care is the largest industry in the United States today, employing more than 14 million citizens.  We are said to be one of very few nations that does not ensure health care insurance to its citizens.  The question that seems to be asked very frequently is should all Americans have the right to health care.

     Health care is a human right and all Americans should have this right as a citizen of the United States. Ensuring that all Americans have the right to health care will decrease health care costs and is also good for economic productivity. It will also promote equal opportunities for those who have economic disadvantages such as bad health.  When people have access to health care, they can live healthier and longer lives. 

     According to the US Census Bureau, 46.3 million people were uninsured in 2008. Health care enpenditures totaled about $2.2 trillion, about 16% of the US economy.   The cost of health care has become unaffordable for many working-class families.  Studies show that 62% of all US bankruptcies in 2007 were related to medical expenses.  Since 2000, health care premiums have risen three times faster than wages.

This ties into our class discussions because we've talked about Obama's view on health care and how he plans to change it.