By Ceci ConnollyWashington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, July 22, 2009; 9:03 PM President Obama, confronted by increasing doubts about the impact of widespread changes to the nation's health-care system, sought to assure middle-class Americans on Wednesday that the landmark legislation he envisions would improve their quality of life and is essential to curing the nation's economic ills. This StoryObama: Health Care Reform Is Essential to Rebuilding EconomyObama Explains Rush for Health Care Overhaul"This is not just about 47 million Americans who have no health insurance," he said in a televised news conference, the fourth of his presidency. "Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage." Six months after his inauguration, Obama finds his signature domestic issue stalled on Capitol Hill. Shortly before he spoke Wednesday, Democratic leaders in Congress acknowledged that they are still struggling to agree on legislation that is expected to cost at least $1 trillion over the next decade. With his ambitious timetable for legislative action in jeopardy, Obama took to the airwaves to repeat his case that comprehensive health-care reform is critical to the nation's overall economic well-being. "That is why I've said that even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before," he said. "And health insurance reform is central to that effort." Polls show that most Americans believe there is a need to improve a system that is among the costliest and least effective in the world, but there is widespread unease about how the changes might affect those who are generally satisfied with their care. Obama attempted to shift the discussion Wednesday from legislative haggling to an appeal to Americans' everyday lives. "I realize that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, 'What's in this for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance reform?' " he said in setting the theme of his speech. "Tonight I want to answer those questions." Specifically, he promised that almost every American would benefit from a system that provides "more security and more stability." He pledged insurance market changes that would enable nearly all Americans to obtain coverage and suggested that everyone would be guaranteed preventive care, such as checkups and mammograms. In an interview with Washington Post Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt earlier in the day, he also said that meaningful reform must tackle the twin challenges of covering the uninsured and containing skyrocketing medical costs. "I think that it's important to do both," he said. "I think it's important for us to make sure that 46 million people who don't have health insurance get it. And I think it's important for us to bend the cost curve, separate and apart from coverage issues." Obama suggested that the legislation would reduce overall health costs by eliminating expensive and unnecessary duplication and arming doctors and patients with information "about what works and what doesn't." As he put it: "Why would we want to pay for things that don't work?" As his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill wrestled with intraparty divisions over the legislative details, Obama took up the partisan battle with Republicans who have battered the legislation's costs and have suggested that Democrats are attempting to rush its passage. CONTINUED 1 2 Next >
President Obama, confronted by increasing doubts about the impact of widespread changes to the nation's health-care system, sought to assure middle-class Americans on Wednesday that the landmark legislation he envisions would improve their quality of life and is essential to curing the nation's economic ills.
"This is not just about 47 million Americans who have no health insurance," he said in a televised news conference, the fourth of his presidency. "Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage."
Six months after his inauguration, Obama finds his signature domestic issue stalled on Capitol Hill. Shortly before he spoke Wednesday, Democratic leaders in Congress acknowledged that they are still struggling to agree on legislation that is expected to cost at least $1 trillion over the next decade.
With his ambitious timetable for legislative action in jeopardy, Obama took to the airwaves to repeat his case that comprehensive health-care reform is critical to the nation's overall economic well-being.
"That is why I've said that even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before," he said. "And health insurance reform is central to that effort."
Polls show that most Americans believe there is a need to improve a system that is among the costliest and least effective in the world, but there is widespread unease about how the changes might affect those who are generally satisfied with their care. Obama attempted to shift the discussion Wednesday from legislative haggling to an appeal to Americans' everyday lives.
"I realize that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, 'What's in this for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance reform?' " he said in setting the theme of his speech. "Tonight I want to answer those questions."
Specifically, he promised that almost every American would benefit from a system that provides "more security and more stability." He pledged insurance market changes that would enable nearly all Americans to obtain coverage and suggested that everyone would be guaranteed preventive care, such as checkups and mammograms.
In an interview with Washington Post Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt earlier in the day, he also said that meaningful reform must tackle the twin challenges of covering the uninsured and containing skyrocketing medical costs.
"I think that it's important to do both," he said. "I think it's important for us to make sure that 46 million people who don't have health insurance get it. And I think it's important for us to bend the cost curve, separate and apart from coverage issues."
Obama suggested that the legislation would reduce overall health costs by eliminating expensive and unnecessary duplication and arming doctors and patients with information "about what works and what doesn't." As he put it: "Why would we want to pay for things that don't work?"
As his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill wrestled with intraparty divisions over the legislative details, Obama took up the partisan battle with Republicans who have battered the legislation's costs and have suggested that Democrats are attempting to rush its passage.
By Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press With four simple words -- "Give it to me!" -- President Barack Obama took possession of the economy. For months, the White House and Obama's economic team have laid the economic crisis at the feet of President George W. Bush. But there comes a point in a Presidency when inheritance becomes ownership. Obama made that pivot Tuesday in Michigan, the state suffering the worst unemployment in the nation. "I love these folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say: 'Well, this is Obama's economy,'" the President said in a pointed deviation from his prepared text. "That's fine. Give it to me!" It was a defiant moment, reminiscent of Bush's own "Bring 'em on!" taunt in 2003 to militants in Iraq. Like Bush's brash challenge, Obama's could haunt him, too. It's a calculated risk that confronts his critics head-on and casts him as an activist, on-the-job President. "My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe," he said on Tuesday, his sleeves rolled up, barely disguising his targets as congressional Republicans. Trying to Regain the AgendaStill, most economists and Obama's own advisers foresee a slow economic recovery. The President himself conceded on Tuesday that unemployment, already at a 26-year high, will most likely "tick up for several months." Republicans see the economy as Obama's Achilles' heel come next year's elections, and they have found a political vulnerability in the continued rise in unemployment despite a $787 billion economic stimulus that Obama pushed through Congress in February. In choosing Michigan to attach his name to the economy, Obama picked a state whose 14.1% unemployment rate could linger as evidence of policy failure. As home to the U.S. auto industry, it could also stand as an emblem of one of his first economic successes. Both General Motors and Chrysler have emerged in surprisingly swift fashion from bankruptcy protection proceedings that were imposed by the Obama Administration. "Remember, folks said there was no way they could do it?" Obama told his audience in hard-hit Warren, Mich. "They've gotten it done already, in record time, far faster than anybody thought possible." Coming after a week Obama spent overseas, the feisty, confrontational approach aims to regain the agenda from his critics. In one bold step this week, the Obama Administration singled out Senator Jon Kyl [R-Ariz.], a member of the Senate Republican leadership, for calling for an end to economic stimulus spending. Using Obama's Cabinet members as muscle, the White House on Tuesday made public letters from four department secretaries listing transportation, housing, Native American education, and other projects in Kyl's home state that they said would be eliminated if the senator had his way. The letter was addressed to Arizona's Republican governor, Jan Brewer. "Where Are the Jobs?"At the same time, Obama is appealing for patience. In his weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday and in a newspaper opinion piece, Obama argued that the stimulus program was designed as a two-year plan and that it had already halted the economic free fall. It hasn't helped Obama, however, that the jobless rate now stands at 9.5%, even though his economic team initially predicted that the stimulus would prevent unemployment from going higher than 8%. Obama and his advisers say the recession turned out to be worse than anticipated when they made that forecast in January. Still, 2 million jobs have been lost since Congress passed the stimulus package. "I want the President's economic stimulus to work, but guess what? It's not happening right now," Representative Candice Miller [R-Mich.] said on Tuesday, voicing a common GOP refrain. "I don't even think we have Wendy's jobs anymore. Where's the beef? Where's the jobs?" Obama's unflinching embrace of his economic policies means he now is responsible for their consequences. If the free fall is now in check, as he claims, then the economy can no longer be Bush's legacy alone. What's more, even amid indicators that show the economic plunge is slowing, unemployment in recent recessions has been slow to recover as quickly as the rest of the economy. And jobs are the clearest yardstick by which the public measures success. For Obama and his fellow Democrats, the danger lies in unemployment rates that remain high in time for next year's congressional elections, or in a slow recovery that peters out and leads back into a recession. Fully in His Grasp NowObama has already taken ownership of the nation's foreign policy. In March, he announced a new approach in Afghanistan that included sending an additional 17,000 combat troops. Marines have just kicked off an offensive in Taliban strongholds in the south of the country. And two weeks ago, U.S. troops in Iraq handed over security in urban areas to Iraqi security forces, the first step toward meeting Obama's pledge to end an unpopular war. Now, just days shy of the milestone six-month point of his Presidency, Obama has laid claim to the full measure of the job. When it comes to the economy, no one -- certainly not his Republican critics -- is going to keep him from taking it. © 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
By Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press
With four simple words -- "Give it to me!" -- President Barack Obama took possession of the economy.
For months, the White House and Obama's economic team have laid the economic crisis at the feet of President George W. Bush. But there comes a point in a Presidency when inheritance becomes ownership. Obama made that pivot Tuesday in Michigan, the state suffering the worst unemployment in the nation.
"I love these folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say: 'Well, this is Obama's economy,'" the President said in a pointed deviation from his prepared text. "That's fine. Give it to me!"
It was a defiant moment, reminiscent of Bush's own "Bring 'em on!" taunt in 2003 to militants in Iraq.
Like Bush's brash challenge, Obama's could haunt him, too. It's a calculated risk that confronts his critics head-on and casts him as an activist, on-the-job President.
"My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe," he said on Tuesday, his sleeves rolled up, barely disguising his targets as congressional Republicans.
Trying to Regain the Agenda
Still, most economists and Obama's own advisers foresee a slow economic recovery. The President himself conceded on Tuesday that unemployment, already at a 26-year high, will most likely "tick up for several months." Republicans see the economy as Obama's Achilles' heel come next year's elections, and they have found a political vulnerability in the continued rise in unemployment despite a $787 billion economic stimulus that Obama pushed through Congress in February.
In choosing Michigan to attach his name to the economy, Obama picked a state whose 14.1% unemployment rate could linger as evidence of policy failure. As home to the U.S. auto industry, it could also stand as an emblem of one of his first economic successes. Both General Motors and Chrysler have emerged in surprisingly swift fashion from bankruptcy protection proceedings that were imposed by the Obama Administration.
"Remember, folks said there was no way they could do it?" Obama told his audience in hard-hit Warren, Mich. "They've gotten it done already, in record time, far faster than anybody thought possible."
Coming after a week Obama spent overseas, the feisty, confrontational approach aims to regain the agenda from his critics. In one bold step this week, the Obama Administration singled out Senator Jon Kyl [R-Ariz.], a member of the Senate Republican leadership, for calling for an end to economic stimulus spending. Using Obama's Cabinet members as muscle, the White House on Tuesday made public letters from four department secretaries listing transportation, housing, Native American education, and other projects in Kyl's home state that they said would be eliminated if the senator had his way. The letter was addressed to Arizona's Republican governor, Jan Brewer.
"Where Are the Jobs?"
At the same time, Obama is appealing for patience. In his weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday and in a newspaper opinion piece, Obama argued that the stimulus program was designed as a two-year plan and that it had already halted the economic free fall. It hasn't helped Obama, however, that the jobless rate now stands at 9.5%, even though his economic team initially predicted that the stimulus would prevent unemployment from going higher than 8%.
Obama and his advisers say the recession turned out to be worse than anticipated when they made that forecast in January. Still, 2 million jobs have been lost since Congress passed the stimulus package.
"I want the President's economic stimulus to work, but guess what? It's not happening right now," Representative Candice Miller [R-Mich.] said on Tuesday, voicing a common GOP refrain. "I don't even think we have Wendy's jobs anymore. Where's the beef? Where's the jobs?"
Obama's unflinching embrace of his economic policies means he now is responsible for their consequences. If the free fall is now in check, as he claims, then the economy can no longer be Bush's legacy alone.
What's more, even amid indicators that show the economic plunge is slowing, unemployment in recent recessions has been slow to recover as quickly as the rest of the economy. And jobs are the clearest yardstick by which the public measures success. For Obama and his fellow Democrats, the danger lies in unemployment rates that remain high in time for next year's congressional elections, or in a slow recovery that peters out and leads back into a recession.
Fully in His Grasp Now
Obama has already taken ownership of the nation's foreign policy. In March, he announced a new approach in Afghanistan that included sending an additional 17,000 combat troops. Marines have just kicked off an offensive in Taliban strongholds in the south of the country. And two weeks ago, U.S. troops in Iraq handed over security in urban areas to Iraqi security forces, the first step toward meeting Obama's pledge to end an unpopular war.
Now, just days shy of the milestone six-month point of his Presidency, Obama has laid claim to the full measure of the job. When it comes to the economy, no one -- certainly not his Republican critics -- is going to keep him from taking it.
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Target Corp. may get behind a call by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to support mandatory health insurance coverage by large companies, according to reports by Bloomberg and Dow Jones.Minneapolis-based Target, the second-largest discount retailer in the country after Wal-Mart, can “conceptually” accept an employer mandate, the reports said.Target refused to comment further, stating that they are monitoring developments surrounding employer-mandated health care coverage and are waiting until details of the proposed legislation are available.However, in a May 18 news release about a partnership between Target and RedBrick Health to pilot a wellness program, Target laid out its stance on health care reform. “Target believes that simply expanding access to the current system is not sustainable and will result in higher costs for everyone,” according to the news release.“As a result, Target supports a national framework for health care that allows multi-state employers to offer consistent and uniform benefits in a cost-effective manner.”But Target said they would first have to see the conditions attached to the mandate before giving it their support, according to the Bloomberg.com, reportThe issue of providing mandatory medical insurance has split big-business interests, as President Barack Obama pushes health care reforms. While Obama has told lawmakers that he is open to requiring large companies to provide health coverage, he would exempt small businesses.Wal-Mart sent a letter to Obama on June 30 supporting mandatory medical insurance, calling Obama’s proposal fair and adding that the requirement would ultimately save companies money.The retailing giant’s move was surprising to many, and drew criticism from the National Retail Federation, which opposes the measure.
Target Corp. may get behind a call by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to support mandatory health insurance coverage by large companies, according to reports by Bloomberg and Dow Jones.
Minneapolis-based Target, the second-largest discount retailer in the country after Wal-Mart, can “conceptually” accept an employer mandate, the reports said.
Target refused to comment further, stating that they are monitoring developments surrounding employer-mandated health care coverage and are waiting until details of the proposed legislation are available.
However, in a May 18 news release about a partnership between Target and RedBrick Health to pilot a wellness program, Target laid out its stance on health care reform. “Target believes that simply expanding access to the current system is not sustainable and will result in higher costs for everyone,” according to the news release.
“As a result, Target supports a national framework for health care that allows multi-state employers to offer consistent and uniform benefits in a cost-effective manner.”
But Target said they would first have to see the conditions attached to the mandate before giving it their support, according to the Bloomberg.com, report
The issue of providing mandatory medical insurance has split big-business interests, as President Barack Obama pushes health care reforms. While Obama has told lawmakers that he is open to requiring large companies to provide health coverage, he would exempt small businesses.
Wal-Mart sent a letter to Obama on June 30 supporting mandatory medical insurance, calling Obama’s proposal fair and adding that the requirement would ultimately save companies money.
The retailing giant’s move was surprising to many, and drew criticism from the National Retail Federation, which opposes the measure.
22 minutes agoWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate health committee has passed legislation to revamp health care, becoming the first congressional committee to act on President Barack Obama's goal of overhauling the system this year.The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 13-10 along party lines to pass a $600-billion measure that would expand coverage to nearly all Americans by requiring individuals get insurance and employers to contribute to the cost. The bill would provide federal aid to families and individuals making less than four times the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the chairman, wasn't there for the milestone vote. He's being treated for brain cancer.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democratic leaders, pledging to meet the president's goal of health care legislation before their August break, are offering a $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans. Left to pick up most of the tab were medical providers, employers and the wealthy.President Barack Obama has made overhauling health care in the United States the prime domestic objective of his first terms and has pushed the House and Senate aggressively to stick to the pre-vacation timetable. That would let him sign comprehensive legislation in October.The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a health plan for all its citizens. About 50 million of America's 300 million people are without health insurance."We cannot allow this issue to be delayed. We cannot put it off again," Rep. Henry Waxman, a Democrat and the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, said Tuesday. "We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our health care system."In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wanted floor debate to begin a week from Monday. With the Senate Finance Committee still struggling to reach consensus, that timetable could slip. Even so, it underscored a renewed sense of urgency.Obama himself was driving the action, going off-script to push the issue during a speech in the state of Michigan and scheduling a White House statement for Wednesday to reiterate that a bill will get done and focus on the role of nurses in any overhaul."There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks," Obama said in the state of Michigan, deviating from his prepared text on new spending for community colleges. "And don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the health care system. We have no choice but to change the health care system because right now it's broken for too many Americans."Obama's political organization is launching a series of 30-second television ads on health care, which will begin airing Wednesday in Washington and on cable TV nationally. A version will run on local stations in eight states to prod senators to back the health care effort. They will run for two weeks.In the ads, private citizens describe problems they have had with the medical system and say it is time for action. The sponsor is Organizing for America, Obama's campaign organization, which has become part of the national Democratic Party. The group would not disclose the cost.In a fundraising appeal titled "Hillarycare revisited," the Republican National Committee warned about "Obamacare" and said the government "already runs car companies, banks and mortgage companies. Republicans believe that the last thing the American people want is government telling them when and where — or even whether — they can get medical treatment for their families."The last time health care legislation came up under former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, his wife Hillary was put in charge of drafting it.All involved were mindful of the dwindling days before Congress leaves town. Obama wants legislation through the House and Senate before then to slow rising costs and extend coverage to the uninsured.Under the House Democrats' plan, the federal government would be responsible for ensuring that every person, regardless of income or the state of their health, has access to an affordable insurance plan. Individuals and employers would have new obligations to get coverage, or face hefty penalties.Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
22 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate health committee has passed legislation to revamp health care, becoming the first congressional committee to act on President Barack Obama's goal of overhauling the system this year.
The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 13-10 along party lines to pass a $600-billion measure that would expand coverage to nearly all Americans by requiring individuals get insurance and employers to contribute to the cost. The bill would provide federal aid to families and individuals making less than four times the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the chairman, wasn't there for the milestone vote. He's being treated for brain cancer.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democratic leaders, pledging to meet the president's goal of health care legislation before their August break, are offering a $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans. Left to pick up most of the tab were medical providers, employers and the wealthy.
President Barack Obama has made overhauling health care in the United States the prime domestic objective of his first terms and has pushed the House and Senate aggressively to stick to the pre-vacation timetable. That would let him sign comprehensive legislation in October.
The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a health plan for all its citizens. About 50 million of America's 300 million people are without health insurance.
"We cannot allow this issue to be delayed. We cannot put it off again," Rep. Henry Waxman, a Democrat and the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, said Tuesday. "We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our health care system."
In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wanted floor debate to begin a week from Monday. With the Senate Finance Committee still struggling to reach consensus, that timetable could slip. Even so, it underscored a renewed sense of urgency.
Obama himself was driving the action, going off-script to push the issue during a speech in the state of Michigan and scheduling a White House statement for Wednesday to reiterate that a bill will get done and focus on the role of nurses in any overhaul.
"There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks," Obama said in the state of Michigan, deviating from his prepared text on new spending for community colleges. "And don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the health care system. We have no choice but to change the health care system because right now it's broken for too many Americans."
Obama's political organization is launching a series of 30-second television ads on health care, which will begin airing Wednesday in Washington and on cable TV nationally. A version will run on local stations in eight states to prod senators to back the health care effort. They will run for two weeks.
In the ads, private citizens describe problems they have had with the medical system and say it is time for action. The sponsor is Organizing for America, Obama's campaign organization, which has become part of the national Democratic Party. The group would not disclose the cost.
In a fundraising appeal titled "Hillarycare revisited," the Republican National Committee warned about "Obamacare" and said the government "already runs car companies, banks and mortgage companies. Republicans believe that the last thing the American people want is government telling them when and where — or even whether — they can get medical treatment for their families."
The last time health care legislation came up under former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, his wife Hillary was put in charge of drafting it.
All involved were mindful of the dwindling days before Congress leaves town. Obama wants legislation through the House and Senate before then to slow rising costs and extend coverage to the uninsured.
Under the House Democrats' plan, the federal government would be responsible for ensuring that every person, regardless of income or the state of their health, has access to an affordable insurance plan. Individuals and employers would have new obligations to get coverage, or face hefty penalties.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Candice Williams, Marisa Schultz and James Lynch / The Detroit NewsWarren -- President Barack Obama took to a stage in Warren Tuesday afternoon and provided an outline of his plan to overhaul the nation's community college system -- something he described as an "undervalued" resource. At the heart of his plan is the goal for the United States to have the highest percentage of college graduates among all nations. "Today, I am announcing the most significant down payment yet on reaching this goal in the next 10 years," Obama said at Macomb Community College. "It's called the American Graduation Initiative. It will reform and strengthen community colleges from coast to coast so that they get the resources students and schools need -- and the results workers and businesses demand." The president cited projections showing that jobs requiring associate degrees will grow twice as fast in the coming years as those that don't require a degree. Advertisement"Through this plan, we seek to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade," Obama said. Getting the nation to that level will require major investments. Under the plan, the federal government would back $10 billion in federal loans to renovate community college classrooms across the country. In addition, he proposed creation of an "online, open source clearing house" of college courses allowing students to access education courses remotely. The MCC students who listened to the president unveil the initiative are part of a Michigan community college system that is bursting at the seams with record enrollment. The number of students among the state's 28 community colleges reached nearly 235,000 last year, and online enrollment topped 52,000 as more displaced workers head back to school for training and high school graduates can't afford a university education. "Clearly, capacity is an issue there," said Michael Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association. "There's far more demand than there is supply for online enrollment. Money would be a big help." White House officials say the $12 billion program will be spread over a decade. It includes $9 billion to fuel community college challenge grants, $2.5 billion for construction and renovation of buildings (to leverage $10 billion in loans) and $500 million for online curriculum development. The initiative will get under way within the first six months of 2010, officials said. "This is history," Sam Adams, 25, of St. Clair Shores said about Obama's speech. "It's exciting (Obama) is coming to Michigan to talk about what he's going to do for us." Adams was among the roughly 2,000 students, faculty and local dignitaries who won tickets in a lottery and who started to line up more than three hours before Obama was to speak outside the college's Advanced Technology Center. About 70 percent of the tickets were distributed by the college, and the rest went to local dignitaries and organized labor leaders. Detroit City Council candidate Gary Brown, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Detroit Regional Chamber director Richard Blouse, state Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer and AFSCME local president John Riehl were among those with tickets. Brown said he got his ticket from a union representative. "Let's hear what the president has to say," he said. Obama's speech at MCC's South Campus was his first in Michigan as president. His visit will be brief since he'll be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis. He arrived at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Harrison Township at about 2:40 p.m. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, flew on Air Force One with him. After exiting the plane, he chatted with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, climbed in his motorcade and left for MCC at about 3 p.m. A small crowd had gathered across the street from the 127th Wing Base Operations Building by noon Tuesday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the president after Air Force One touched down. The crowd consisted mostly of the media and retirees from the base. William McKinney, 70, of Clinton Township was among them. "I'm excited, and hopefully I'll be able to see the president," the retired aircraft electronic technician said. He was joined by his wife, Bertha, and their 9-year-old grandson, Devlin. Devlin, like his grandfather, was hoping to see the president. "I've seen him on television before," he said. "I'm hoping to see him in person." Sharlonda Buckman, executive director of the Detroit Parent Network, said she was there to hear what Obama has to say about education. "Education is one of the biggest priorities right now, and it sounds like he cares what is happening in Detroit and Michigan," she said. The Michigan State Police had more than a dozen mounted troopers circling the speech site to keep protesters away. A few dozen protesters instead gathered along a side street entrance carrying signs urging Obama to stop federal spending. In the hours leading up to the speech, several dozen protesters from various causes lined up on a side street along the community college to demonstrate. Afterwards, they headed to 12 Mile, a more visible location. Some held up large signs against government spending and abortion, and calling for a more green job creation. One protester, Kim Cipriani, 48, of New Haven, showed up to protest with about 65 members of the Macomb County Republican Party. Their concern was government spending. "If he wants to be president, he has to work," Cipriani said of Obama. "He needs to try to figure out a way not to spend and create more jobs." "This is a huge day for Michigan and for Macomb Community College for the governor's No Worker Left Behind Programs," said Andy Levin, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Under the program, more than 65,000 unemployed workers have gained free tuition for up to two years to earn training in industries the state hopes to lure. And many of the displaced workers have turned to community colleges, which are "bursting at the seams," Levin said. The initiative could help community colleges boost capacity, transfer more curriculum to online programs and expand lab space in key programs, Hansen said. Already 52,000 students are enrolled in the Michigan Community College Association's Virtual Learning Collaborative, which allows students to take courses from other member colleges while still receiving support services at their "home" college and pay the same tuition rate regardless. However, Hansen cautioned: "Low-interest loans are nice, but they are still loans. When colleges are struggling financially, I don't know if they will take on more debt." Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate at 14.1 percent, driven by the steep decline in manufacturing jobs precipitated by the downturn in the auto industry. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is 9.5 percent, a 26-year high. The major community college initiative will help Obama achieve his goal of increasing enrollment by 5 million students by 2020, bringing the total to 11 million students. About 6 million Americans attend community colleges, officials said. Kyle Kreshover, 19, a University of Michigan public policy student who is interning with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, said the president's message on how to improve higher education is important. "The costs are going up, and anything that controls that is good," he said. Between the federal stimulus package and his education budget, Obama has taken significant steps during his presidency to boost access to higher education. Limits on the federal Pell Grant program increased from $4,731 last year to $5,350 this year and are proposed to increase to $5,500 in 2010. More money was added to the federal work study program under the stimulus package. And the American Opportunity Tax Credit increased from $1,800 in 2008 to $2,500 in 2009 and 2010 to cover money spent on educational expenses helping families who make up to $160,000 a year. Michigan also received $183 million in federal work force investment act stimulus dollars that helps fund the No Worker Left Behind program, Levin said. "In a very short period of time, President Obama has turned Americans' sights toward what we really need to do to help every young person who wants to go to college and every worker who needs to get retrained," Levin said. "And that's a very hopeful development." cwilliams@detnews.com (586) 468-0529 Detroit News Staff Writers David Josar and Dave Shepardson contributed to this report.
Warren -- President Barack Obama took to a stage in Warren Tuesday afternoon and provided an outline of his plan to overhaul the nation's community college system -- something he described as an "undervalued" resource. At the heart of his plan is the goal for the United States to have the highest percentage of college graduates among all nations.
"Today, I am announcing the most significant down payment yet on reaching this goal in the next 10 years," Obama said at Macomb Community College. "It's called the American Graduation Initiative. It will reform and strengthen community colleges from coast to coast so that they get the resources students and schools need -- and the results workers and businesses demand."
The president cited projections showing that jobs requiring associate degrees will grow twice as fast in the coming years as those that don't require a degree.
Advertisement
"Through this plan, we seek to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade," Obama said.
Getting the nation to that level will require major investments. Under the plan, the federal government would back $10 billion in federal loans to renovate community college classrooms across the country. In addition, he proposed creation of an "online, open source clearing house" of college courses allowing students to access education courses remotely.
The MCC students who listened to the president unveil the initiative are part of a Michigan community college system that is bursting at the seams with record enrollment.
The number of students among the state's 28 community colleges reached nearly 235,000 last year, and online enrollment topped 52,000 as more displaced workers head back to school for training and high school graduates can't afford a university education.
"Clearly, capacity is an issue there," said Michael Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association. "There's far more demand than there is supply for online enrollment. Money would be a big help."
White House officials say the $12 billion program will be spread over a decade. It includes $9 billion to fuel community college challenge grants, $2.5 billion for construction and renovation of buildings (to leverage $10 billion in loans) and $500 million for online curriculum development. The initiative will get under way within the first six months of 2010, officials said.
"This is history," Sam Adams, 25, of St. Clair Shores said about Obama's speech. "It's exciting (Obama) is coming to Michigan to talk about what he's going to do for us."
Adams was among the roughly 2,000 students, faculty and local dignitaries who won tickets in a lottery and who started to line up more than three hours before Obama was to speak outside the college's Advanced Technology Center.
About 70 percent of the tickets were distributed by the college, and the rest went to local dignitaries and organized labor leaders.
Detroit City Council candidate Gary Brown, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Detroit Regional Chamber director Richard Blouse, state Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer and AFSCME local president John Riehl were among those with tickets.
Brown said he got his ticket from a union representative. "Let's hear what the president has to say," he said.
Obama's speech at MCC's South Campus was his first in Michigan as president. His visit will be brief since he'll be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis. He arrived at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Harrison Township at about 2:40 p.m. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, flew on Air Force One with him. After exiting the plane, he chatted with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, climbed in his motorcade and left for MCC at about 3 p.m.
A small crowd had gathered across the street from the 127th Wing Base Operations Building by noon Tuesday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the president after Air Force One touched down.
The crowd consisted mostly of the media and retirees from the base. William McKinney, 70, of Clinton Township was among them.
"I'm excited, and hopefully I'll be able to see the president," the retired aircraft electronic technician said. He was joined by his wife, Bertha, and their 9-year-old grandson, Devlin.
Devlin, like his grandfather, was hoping to see the president.
"I've seen him on television before," he said. "I'm hoping to see him in person."
Sharlonda Buckman, executive director of the Detroit Parent Network, said she was there to hear what Obama has to say about education.
"Education is one of the biggest priorities right now, and it sounds like he cares what is happening in Detroit and Michigan," she said.
The Michigan State Police had more than a dozen mounted troopers circling the speech site to keep protesters away. A few dozen protesters instead gathered along a side street entrance carrying signs urging Obama to stop federal spending. In the hours leading up to the speech, several dozen protesters from various causes lined up on a side street along the community college to demonstrate. Afterwards, they headed to 12 Mile, a more visible location. Some held up large signs against government spending and abortion, and calling for a more green job creation.
One protester, Kim Cipriani, 48, of New Haven, showed up to protest with about 65 members of the Macomb County Republican Party. Their concern was government spending.
"If he wants to be president, he has to work," Cipriani said of Obama. "He needs to try to figure out a way not to spend and create more jobs."
"This is a huge day for Michigan and for Macomb Community College for the governor's No Worker Left Behind Programs," said Andy Levin, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
Under the program, more than 65,000 unemployed workers have gained free tuition for up to two years to earn training in industries the state hopes to lure. And many of the displaced workers have turned to community colleges, which are "bursting at the seams," Levin said.
The initiative could help community colleges boost capacity, transfer more curriculum to online programs and expand lab space in key programs, Hansen said. Already 52,000 students are enrolled in the Michigan Community College Association's Virtual Learning Collaborative, which allows students to take courses from other member colleges while still receiving support services at their "home" college and pay the same tuition rate regardless. However, Hansen cautioned: "Low-interest loans are nice, but they are still loans. When colleges are struggling financially, I don't know if they will take on more debt."
Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate at 14.1 percent, driven by the steep decline in manufacturing jobs precipitated by the downturn in the auto industry. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is 9.5 percent, a 26-year high.
The major community college initiative will help Obama achieve his goal of increasing enrollment by 5 million students by 2020, bringing the total to 11 million students. About 6 million Americans attend community colleges, officials said.
Kyle Kreshover, 19, a University of Michigan public policy student who is interning with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, said the president's message on how to improve higher education is important.
"The costs are going up, and anything that controls that is good," he said.
Between the federal stimulus package and his education budget, Obama has taken significant steps during his presidency to boost access to higher education. Limits on the federal Pell Grant program increased from $4,731 last year to $5,350 this year and are proposed to increase to $5,500 in 2010.
More money was added to the federal work study program under the stimulus package. And the American Opportunity Tax Credit increased from $1,800 in 2008 to $2,500 in 2009 and 2010 to cover money spent on educational expenses helping families who make up to $160,000 a year.
Michigan also received $183 million in federal work force investment act stimulus dollars that helps fund the No Worker Left Behind program, Levin said.
"In a very short period of time, President Obama has turned Americans' sights toward what we really need to do to help every young person who wants to go to college and every worker who needs to get retrained," Levin said. "And that's a very hopeful development."
cwilliams@detnews.com (586) 468-0529 Detroit News Staff Writers David Josar and Dave Shepardson contributed to this report.
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE – 22 minutes ago WARREN, Mich. (AP) — Conceding unemployment will get worse before it shrinks, President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion plan to help community colleges prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs. Challenging critics, he said he welcomed the task of turning around the economy. President Barack Obama speaks at Macomb Community College, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in Warren, Mich. (AP resident Barack Obama speaks at Macomb Community College, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in Warren, Mich. (AP "I love the folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, 'Well, this is Obama's economy,'" the president told an outdoor crowd at Macomb Community College, veering off his scripted words. "That's fine. Give it to me. My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe."Obama did not identify his target for those comments, but he has been under increasing fire from Republicans over the pace of the economic recovery and the soaring deficit. He brought his message to a state reeling from the loss of auto jobs. Michigan's unemployment rate is 14.1 percent, the nation's worst."The hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back," Obama said. "They are the casualties of a changing economy."To that end, he proposed an "American Graduation Initiative" to bolster the two-year community college field that serves millions of students as a launching point for careers or a step toward expanded higher education. The idea is to train people for jobs, such as those expected in the clean energy industry, when the economy turns around and begins to create jobs again instead of shedding them.Under the plan, competitive grants would be offered to schools to try new programs or expand training and counseling.High dropout rates would be addressed by designing programs to track students and help them earn an associate's degree or finish their education at a four-year institution. Money would also be spent to renovate and rebuild facilities, and online courses would be developed to help colleges offer more classes.The White House says the cost would be $12 billion over 10 years; Obama says it would be paid for by ending wasteful subsidies to banks and private lenders of student loans."Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result," Obama said.Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a former education secretary, said Obama's plan is a "typical proposal" that sounds better than it is. "When our biggest problem as a country is too much debt, he's taking the entitlement spending he claims to be saving from the student loan program and adding it to the debt," Alexander said.Obama's speech came a day after the White House issued an upbeat report predicting that health care and environment-focused jobs would help drive a jobs recovery but that education and training would have to keep up with a demand for higher-skilled workers. In the report, Obama's economic advisers said U.S. post-high school education and training need to be more effective at encouraging participants to complete their training and to respond to the labor market.Earlier on Tuesday at the White House, Obama said he expected that the nation's unemployment rate would continue to "tick up for several months."It is now at 9.5 percent, the highest in 26 years. Obama said renewed hiring tends to lag behind other signs of economic recovery.In Michigan, Obama called the $12 billion in spending over the next decade "the most significant down payment" yet toward achieving his goal of having the highest college graduation rate of any nation.Speaking in rolled-up sleeves, Obama said jobs requiring at least an associate's degree are expected to grow twice as fast as those where college education is not required."We will not fill those jobs, or keep those jobs on our shores, without the training offered by community colleges," Obama said.Community colleges have been feeling pinched lately. Enrollments have been increasing for several reasons, including rising college costs at public and private institutions and the needs of people who have lost jobs and are eager to learn new skills.About 6 million students attend community college, administration officials said. Obama is setting a goal of 5 million additional college graduates.Meanwhile, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Republican senators on Tuesday at their private weekly luncheon at the Capitol that the government's $1 trillion deficit was the single biggest hurdle to economic recovery. In his speech, Obama acknowledged the problem of debt but said again that the only way to start reducing deficits is to reform the health care system, his dominant legislative priority.Obama's trip wasn't all about policy, however. Before returning to the White House, he was dropping by Busch Stadium in St. Louis to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Major League Baseball's annual All-Star game. It will be his first pitch as president.Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Jim Kuhnhenn and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE – 22 minutes ago
WARREN, Mich. (AP) — Conceding unemployment will get worse before it shrinks, President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion plan to help community colleges prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs. Challenging critics, he said he welcomed the task of turning around the economy.
President Barack Obama speaks at Macomb Community College, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in Warren, Mich. (AP
resident Barack Obama speaks at Macomb Community College, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in Warren, Mich. (AP
"I love the folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, 'Well, this is Obama's economy,'" the president told an outdoor crowd at Macomb Community College, veering off his scripted words. "That's fine. Give it to me. My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe."
Obama did not identify his target for those comments, but he has been under increasing fire from Republicans over the pace of the economic recovery and the soaring deficit. He brought his message to a state reeling from the loss of auto jobs. Michigan's unemployment rate is 14.1 percent, the nation's worst.
"The hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back," Obama said. "They are the casualties of a changing economy."
To that end, he proposed an "American Graduation Initiative" to bolster the two-year community college field that serves millions of students as a launching point for careers or a step toward expanded higher education. The idea is to train people for jobs, such as those expected in the clean energy industry, when the economy turns around and begins to create jobs again instead of shedding them.
Under the plan, competitive grants would be offered to schools to try new programs or expand training and counseling.
High dropout rates would be addressed by designing programs to track students and help them earn an associate's degree or finish their education at a four-year institution. Money would also be spent to renovate and rebuild facilities, and online courses would be developed to help colleges offer more classes.
The White House says the cost would be $12 billion over 10 years; Obama says it would be paid for by ending wasteful subsidies to banks and private lenders of student loans.
"Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result," Obama said.
Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a former education secretary, said Obama's plan is a "typical proposal" that sounds better than it is. "When our biggest problem as a country is too much debt, he's taking the entitlement spending he claims to be saving from the student loan program and adding it to the debt," Alexander said.
Obama's speech came a day after the White House issued an upbeat report predicting that health care and environment-focused jobs would help drive a jobs recovery but that education and training would have to keep up with a demand for higher-skilled workers. In the report, Obama's economic advisers said U.S. post-high school education and training need to be more effective at encouraging participants to complete their training and to respond to the labor market.
Earlier on Tuesday at the White House, Obama said he expected that the nation's unemployment rate would continue to "tick up for several months."
It is now at 9.5 percent, the highest in 26 years. Obama said renewed hiring tends to lag behind other signs of economic recovery.
In Michigan, Obama called the $12 billion in spending over the next decade "the most significant down payment" yet toward achieving his goal of having the highest college graduation rate of any nation.
Speaking in rolled-up sleeves, Obama said jobs requiring at least an associate's degree are expected to grow twice as fast as those where college education is not required.
"We will not fill those jobs, or keep those jobs on our shores, without the training offered by community colleges," Obama said.
Community colleges have been feeling pinched lately. Enrollments have been increasing for several reasons, including rising college costs at public and private institutions and the needs of people who have lost jobs and are eager to learn new skills.
About 6 million students attend community college, administration officials said. Obama is setting a goal of 5 million additional college graduates.
Meanwhile, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Republican senators on Tuesday at their private weekly luncheon at the Capitol that the government's $1 trillion deficit was the single biggest hurdle to economic recovery. In his speech, Obama acknowledged the problem of debt but said again that the only way to start reducing deficits is to reform the health care system, his dominant legislative priority.
Obama's trip wasn't all about policy, however. Before returning to the White House, he was dropping by Busch Stadium in St. Louis to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Major League Baseball's annual All-Star game. It will be his first pitch as president.
Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Jim Kuhnhenn and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.
(CNN) -- Community colleges are only two-year institutions, but the Obama administration says they could play a key role in helping boost the ailing economy for years to come.President Obama also announced a goal of 5 million additional community-college graduates by 2020. To underscore that contention Tuesday, the president unveiled the American Graduation Initiative, a 10-year, $12 billion plan to invest in community colleges.During his announcement at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, Obama noted that the economic recession and a changing U.S. economy have reduced the number of automotive industry jobs, a mainstay in Michigan.The "hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back. They are casualties of a changing economy," Obama said, adding that "even before this recession hit, we were faced with an economy that was simply not creating or sustaining enough new, well-paying jobs."Obama called the investment in community colleges crucial because "jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience" in coming years."We will not fill those jobs, or keep those jobs on our shores, without the training offered by community colleges," he said.Education Undersecretary Martha Kanter says the plan is a crucial investment because community colleges have not historically "done enough to get students through, to move them into the work force and to get them through the higher-education transfer programs."She added that "we're very concerned about providing access and opportunity during this terrible fiscal climate."Don't MissRules to ease student loan repayments take effect Commentary: Obama and our kids' future The initiatives focus on four areas that officials say are aimed at giving community colleges the resources needed to modernize and assist students who are struggling, according to Kanter and other senior administration officials.The initiatives include:• Community college challenge grants, to help underfunded colleges that are dealing with limited capacity and to build partnerships with schools and businesses.• The Access and Completion Fund, to provide performance-based scholarships and give colleges the tools to design more programs around work schedules.• Modernization of community-college facilities, with $2.5 billion to help renovate facilities and keep up with maintenance costs. The renovations will create jobs, Obama said.• Open online courses, to create options online as a tool that some think can be more effective than classroom instruction alone.There are 6 million Americans in community colleges. The administration's initiatives are seen as the foundation to help boost enrollment and graduation rates.Obama also announced a goal of 5 million additional community-college graduates by 2020. He said the initiative will not add to the deficit because the investment will be paid by "ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans, which will save tens of billions of dollars over the next 10 years.""Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it's time this money went toward the interest of higher education in America," he said. E-mail to a friend Share this on:Mixx Facebook Twitter Digg del.icio.us reddit MySpace StumbleUpon | Mixx it | Share
(CNN) -- Community colleges are only two-year institutions, but the Obama administration says they could play a key role in helping boost the ailing economy for years to come.
President Obama also announced a goal of 5 million additional community-college graduates by 2020.
To underscore that contention Tuesday, the president unveiled the American Graduation Initiative, a 10-year, $12 billion plan to invest in community colleges.
During his announcement at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, Obama noted that the economic recession and a changing U.S. economy have reduced the number of automotive industry jobs, a mainstay in Michigan.
The "hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back. They are casualties of a changing economy," Obama said, adding that "even before this recession hit, we were faced with an economy that was simply not creating or sustaining enough new, well-paying jobs."
Obama called the investment in community colleges crucial because "jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience" in coming years.
"We will not fill those jobs, or keep those jobs on our shores, without the training offered by community colleges," he said.
Education Undersecretary Martha Kanter says the plan is a crucial investment because community colleges have not historically "done enough to get students through, to move them into the work force and to get them through the higher-education transfer programs."
She added that "we're very concerned about providing access and opportunity during this terrible fiscal climate."
The initiatives focus on four areas that officials say are aimed at giving community colleges the resources needed to modernize and assist students who are struggling, according to Kanter and other senior administration officials.
The initiatives include:
• Community college challenge grants, to help underfunded colleges that are dealing with limited capacity and to build partnerships with schools and businesses.
• The Access and Completion Fund, to provide performance-based scholarships and give colleges the tools to design more programs around work schedules.
• Modernization of community-college facilities, with $2.5 billion to help renovate facilities and keep up with maintenance costs. The renovations will create jobs, Obama said.
• Open online courses, to create options online as a tool that some think can be more effective than classroom instruction alone.
There are 6 million Americans in community colleges. The administration's initiatives are seen as the foundation to help boost enrollment and graduation rates.
Obama also announced a goal of 5 million additional community-college graduates by 2020. He said the initiative will not add to the deficit because the investment will be paid by "ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans, which will save tens of billions of dollars over the next 10 years."
"Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it's time this money went toward the interest of higher education in America," he said.
Today, President Obama is set to unveil a plan to provide $12 billion to community colleges. Given the emphasis on the President's other priorities like health care and cap and trade, education has received little press coverage thus far. Although some might debate whether the federal government ought to continue to ramp up its spending, if it's determined to do so, I think it's hard to argue against an initiative like this.Fox News' White House blog has, by far, the most informative take on this new imitative that I found. So check that out if you want more detail. According to Fox, this spending would be part of the 2010 budget. It will be spent over 10 years. Reuters also reports on Obama's plan, and explains his likely rationale through a report that his economists issued on Monday: "Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity," the report said. "Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate's degree or a post-secondary vocational award," it said.For a while now I've been an advocate for encouraging community college as an alternative to four-year college, for young people who might not have career goals where a four-year degree is necessary. If this funding makes community college a more attractive alternative for some, then I think that's a good thing. A step like this shouldn't affect anyone best suited for four-year college, as that's still generally an option after completing a 2-year associate's degree. A few months ago, I attended a roundtable discussion at the National Association of Manufacturers. Training to obtain more skilled workers in the U.S. was one of their top priorities. In the current educational climate, it seems that most high school students either seek four-year college or nothing, giving little thought to community college or vocational schools. That's a problem for manufacturing, as skilled jobs are in high demand within the manufacturing industries where the U.S. still competes. This initiative might also help the President in another way. If more people are pursing their associate's degree, in a bad economy, that lowers unemployment. Students are not considered unemployed. So over the next few years, which will be tough, with more Americans sitting in community college classrooms, the employment picture will look better. That's not entirely smoke and mirrors, however. Once the economy starts to really grow again, that might be just in time for some of those freshly minted community college graduates to take advantage of new jobs in a better market.
Today, President Obama is set to unveil a plan to provide $12 billion to community colleges. Given the emphasis on the President's other priorities like health care and cap and trade, education has received little press coverage thus far. Although some might debate whether the federal government ought to continue to ramp up its spending, if it's determined to do so, I think it's hard to argue against an initiative like this.
Fox News' White House blog has, by far, the most informative take on this new imitative that I found. So check that out if you want more detail. According to Fox, this spending would be part of the 2010 budget. It will be spent over 10 years.
Reuters also reports on Obama's plan, and explains his likely rationale through a report that his economists issued on Monday:
"Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity," the report said. "Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate's degree or a post-secondary vocational award," it said.
"Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate's degree or a post-secondary vocational award," it said.
For a while now I've been an advocate for encouraging community college as an alternative to four-year college, for young people who might not have career goals where a four-year degree is necessary. If this funding makes community college a more attractive alternative for some, then I think that's a good thing. A step like this shouldn't affect anyone best suited for four-year college, as that's still generally an option after completing a 2-year associate's degree.
A few months ago, I attended a roundtable discussion at the National Association of Manufacturers. Training to obtain more skilled workers in the U.S. was one of their top priorities. In the current educational climate, it seems that most high school students either seek four-year college or nothing, giving little thought to community college or vocational schools. That's a problem for manufacturing, as skilled jobs are in high demand within the manufacturing industries where the U.S. still competes.
This initiative might also help the President in another way. If more people are pursing their associate's degree, in a bad economy, that lowers unemployment. Students are not considered unemployed. So over the next few years, which will be tough, with more Americans sitting in community college classrooms, the employment picture will look better. That's not entirely smoke and mirrors, however. Once the economy starts to really grow again, that might be just in time for some of those freshly minted community college graduates to take advantage of new jobs in a better market.
By David AlexanderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama acknowledged on Friday that tough negotiations on overhauling U.S. healthcare lie ahead after some of his own Democrats rebelled but he expressed confidence a plan will be passed.Obama's remarks, at the end of a Group of Eight summit in Italy, came a day after a group of 40 fiscally conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives said they had "strong reservations about the process and direction" of a healthcare plan moving in the House.Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Congress are working on draft proposals to revamp the U.S. healthcare system at a cost of about $1 trillion over a decade.Healthcare reform is a key part of the Obama administration's agenda, and finding a way to pay for the cost is proving to be a major obstacle."There are going to be some tough negotiations in the days and weeks to come, but I'm confident that we're going to get it done," Obama said.As Obama traveled abroad, his domestic agenda took some blows at home. In addition to the hiccup on his healthcare plan, Democrats on Thursday put off until September work on a bill to reduce greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.And a political scrap broke out over the effectiveness of a $787 billion economic stimulus plan pushed through Congress by Democrats in February. Republicans argued it has failed to stop the rising jobless rate while Democrats led by Vice President Joe Biden said it needs more time to work.Obama wants Congress to send him a healthcare bill by October that will cut costs while providing medical insurance to most of the 46 million Americans who currently have no coverage.OPPOSE PUBLIC OPTIONThe conservative Democrats, known as the Blue Dog Democrats, also took aim at the president's proposal for a public insurance option to compete with private insurers in a marketplace that would provide plans for those who cannot buy coverage through their employers."A "Medicare-like" public option would negatively impact hospitals, doctors and patients," they wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, noting that payments to doctors through the government health plan for the elderly are 20 percent to 30 percent lower than private plans."Using Medicare's below-market rates would seriously weaken the financial stability of our local hospitals and doctors," the letter said.Obama has called for a marketplace with rules that would create a level playing field for public and private insurers, but many conservatives fear the public plan would have an advantage that would ultimately drive the private plans out of business.Obama says a public plan is necessary to create a truly competitive marketplace that will drive down costs. He reasserted his support for a public plan this week after his chief of staff suggested the proposal was negotiable.Asked at Friday's news conference when he was going to get more involved in pushing the healthcare reform issue, Obama said, "We jumped in with both feet." Continued...View article on single pagePrevious Page 1 | 2 Next Page
By David Alexander
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama acknowledged on Friday that tough negotiations on overhauling U.S. healthcare lie ahead after some of his own Democrats rebelled but he expressed confidence a plan will be passed.
Obama's remarks, at the end of a Group of Eight summit in Italy, came a day after a group of 40 fiscally conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives said they had "strong reservations about the process and direction" of a healthcare plan moving in the House.
Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Congress are working on draft proposals to revamp the U.S. healthcare system at a cost of about $1 trillion over a decade.
Healthcare reform is a key part of the Obama administration's agenda, and finding a way to pay for the cost is proving to be a major obstacle.
"There are going to be some tough negotiations in the days and weeks to come, but I'm confident that we're going to get it done," Obama said.
As Obama traveled abroad, his domestic agenda took some blows at home. In addition to the hiccup on his healthcare plan, Democrats on Thursday put off until September work on a bill to reduce greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
And a political scrap broke out over the effectiveness of a $787 billion economic stimulus plan pushed through Congress by Democrats in February. Republicans argued it has failed to stop the rising jobless rate while Democrats led by Vice President Joe Biden said it needs more time to work.
Obama wants Congress to send him a healthcare bill by October that will cut costs while providing medical insurance to most of the 46 million Americans who currently have no coverage.
OPPOSE PUBLIC OPTION
The conservative Democrats, known as the Blue Dog Democrats, also took aim at the president's proposal for a public insurance option to compete with private insurers in a marketplace that would provide plans for those who cannot buy coverage through their employers.
"A "Medicare-like" public option would negatively impact hospitals, doctors and patients," they wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, noting that payments to doctors through the government health plan for the elderly are 20 percent to 30 percent lower than private plans.
"Using Medicare's below-market rates would seriously weaken the financial stability of our local hospitals and doctors," the letter said.
Obama has called for a marketplace with rules that would create a level playing field for public and private insurers, but many conservatives fear the public plan would have an advantage that would ultimately drive the private plans out of business.
Obama says a public plan is necessary to create a truly competitive marketplace that will drive down costs. He reasserted his support for a public plan this week after his chief of staff suggested the proposal was negotiable.
Asked at Friday's news conference when he was going to get more involved in pushing the healthcare reform issue, Obama said, "We jumped in with both feet." Continued...
By Bernie BeckerAs the battle over health care continues on Capitol Hill, Democrats are organizing campaign-like neighborhood canvasses to spread their message.Organizing for America, the advocacy group that grew out of President Obama’s campaign machinery, is enlisting supporters to go door-to-door across the country to talk up the White House’s health care priorities.Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, where Organizing for America is housed, said the canvassing would start in earnest this weekend and could last through August, making it the most sustained door-to-door effort the group has had since President Obama was inaugurated. (Organizing for America also arranged canvasses earlier this year during the budget negotiations, but those were confined to a single weekend.)Katie Wright, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, said in a statement that the “Democrats face an uphill battle in convincing Americans that government-run health care will not increase costs and diminish their quality of care” and that the R.N.C. was “actively engaged in working with voters” on health care reform.The e-mail Organizing for America sent to supporters, which claims that $1.4 million is being spent daily to obstruct health care reform, says that backers of the president need to act so that his “core principles are included in any comprehensive health care reform legislation.” (It adds that canvassers often find going door-to-door rewarding.)Lawmakers in both houses are furiously at work trying to draft and pass health care legislation before Congress recesses in August. (As The Times’s David Herszenhorn has reported, those efforts have hit some roadblocks this week.) PrintShare Close LinkedinDiggFacebookMixxMy SpaceYahoo! BuzzPermalinkSign in to RecommendElections, The 44th President, The Caucus, Democrats, health care, organizing for america
As the battle over health care continues on Capitol Hill, Democrats are organizing campaign-like neighborhood canvasses to spread their message.
Organizing for America, the advocacy group that grew out of President Obama’s campaign machinery, is enlisting supporters to go door-to-door across the country to talk up the White House’s health care priorities.
Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, where Organizing for America is housed, said the canvassing would start in earnest this weekend and could last through August, making it the most sustained door-to-door effort the group has had since President Obama was inaugurated. (Organizing for America also arranged canvasses earlier this year during the budget negotiations, but those were confined to a single weekend.)
Katie Wright, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, said in a statement that the “Democrats face an uphill battle in convincing Americans that government-run health care will not increase costs and diminish their quality of care” and that the R.N.C. was “actively engaged in working with voters” on health care reform.
The e-mail Organizing for America sent to supporters, which claims that $1.4 million is being spent daily to obstruct health care reform, says that backers of the president need to act so that his “core principles are included in any comprehensive health care reform legislation.” (It adds that canvassers often find going door-to-door rewarding.)
Lawmakers in both houses are furiously at work trying to draft and pass health care legislation before Congress recesses in August. (As The Times’s David Herszenhorn has reported, those efforts have hit some roadblocks this week.)
President Barack Obama, his eldest daughter Malia and youngest Sasha, and first lady Michelle arrive at Pratica di Mare's military airport, near Rome, Friday, July 10, 2009. After attending a three-day G8 (Group of Eight) Summit meeting in L'Aquila, central Italy, President Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday for a meeting in which frank but constructive talks were expected between two men who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and stem cell research. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's hospitals will give up $155 billion in future Medicare and Medicaid payments to help defray the cost of President Barack Obama's health care plan, a concession the White House hopes will boost an overhaul effort that's hit a roadblock in Congress.Vice President Joe Biden announced the deal at the White House on Wednesday, with administration officials and hospital administrators at his side."Reform is coming. It is on track; it is coming. We have tried for decades to fix a broken system, and we have never, in my entire tenure in public life, been this close," Biden said. And in a firm message to lawmakers, Biden added, "We must -- and we will -- enact reform by the end of August."Obama has set an ambitious timetable for legislation, with the hope of signing a comprehensive bill in October. But lawmakers returned Tuesday from their July 4 break with lots of questions about the complex legislation and deep misgivings about key elements under discussion.Democratic senators in particular are having second thoughts about a proposed new tax on generous health insurance benefits provided by some employers. Without the tax -- Republicans favor it as a brake on cost increases -- the prospects for a bipartisan deal in the Senate appear to be in jeopardy.Timing is critical because lawmakers might be reluctant to vote on such a charged issue as health care next year, when all House members and one-third of senators face elections."We're not there yet," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has spent countless hours seeking a compromise with Republican colleagues. "I'm trying the best I can to get there soon."Another senator deeply involved in the bipartisan negotiations said the proposed new tax on the costliest employer-paid insurance benefits is quickly losing favor with Democrats."It's clearly a very difficult issue," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., citing recent polls. "You go to the public to ask them what they think and they don't like it."A compilation of surveys reviewed by senators showed at least 59 percent of the public opposed to taxing health care benefits to "pay for reform."As a result, Conrad said, "we're looking at other options" to help finance a bill whose price tag is expected to reach $1 trillion or slightly more. Those other options may be hard to sell to Republicans whose support Baucus has been cultivating.Baucus has long championed a tax on health benefits as the best way to pay for health care while simultaneously restraining the growth of the cost of coverage in the future. But the idea has drawn strong opposition from organized labor, a core Democratic constituency. House Democrats have been highly resistant, too, and Obama campaigned hard against it in last year's run for the White House.The deal with the hospitals -- the one bright spot right now for Obama -- may also be on shaky ground. Officials said it's pegged to the Senate Finance Committee legislation that Baucus is negotiating, and whose prospects are uncertain. It would follow concessions from drug companies, and an announcement by Wal-Mart last week that it would support an employer requirement to help pay for health care.Of the $155 billion in projected savings from hospitals, about $40 billion to $50 billion would come from reducing federal payments hospitals receive for providing care to uninsured and low-income patients, according to lobbyists. Those payments are now made through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Medicaid cuts would be apportioned by state, as 10 percent annual reductions beginning around 2015.Officials of public hospitals say they have concerns such reductions could also squeeze funding for trauma centers and burn units, which receive Medicare and Medicaid money. But they wanted to see the fine print.Other savings of about $100 billion would come from slowing increases in planned Medicare payments to hospitals. A small amount of savings would come from trimming the money hospitals get for preventing patients from being readmitted for additional care.Hospitals would also get something out of the deal. They won an agreement that if the Finance Committee's legislation includes a public health insurance plan, it would reimburse hospitals at above the rates Medicare and Medicaid pay, which hospitals have long complained are insufficient.The issue of a government insurance plan to compete against private companies continued to inflame sentiments on both sides of the political aisle. Republicans remain solidly opposed. Democrats, citing polls that show the public is open to the idea, are talking about a showdown on the issue.Biden was joined at the White House by Rich Umbdenstock, president of the American Hospital Association, Richard Bracken, president of Hospital Corporation of America, Wayne Smith, president of Community Health Systems, and Sister Carol Keehan, president of Catholic Health Association of the United States."We know how urgently reform is needed, both for moral and economic purposes," said Keehan, who represents Catholic hospitals.House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio criticized the hospital deal, saying it was negotiated out of public view. "The administration and congressional Democrats are literally bullying health care groups into cutting backroom deals to fund a government takeover of health care," Boehner said in a statement.Associated Press writers David Espo, Erica Werner and Alan Fram contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's hospitals will give up $155 billion in future Medicare and Medicaid payments to help defray the cost of President Barack Obama's health care plan, a concession the White House hopes will boost an overhaul effort that's hit a roadblock in Congress.
Vice President Joe Biden announced the deal at the White House on Wednesday, with administration officials and hospital administrators at his side.
"Reform is coming. It is on track; it is coming. We have tried for decades to fix a broken system, and we have never, in my entire tenure in public life, been this close," Biden said. And in a firm message to lawmakers, Biden added, "We must -- and we will -- enact reform by the end of August."
Obama has set an ambitious timetable for legislation, with the hope of signing a comprehensive bill in October. But lawmakers returned Tuesday from their July 4 break with lots of questions about the complex legislation and deep misgivings about key elements under discussion.
Democratic senators in particular are having second thoughts about a proposed new tax on generous health insurance benefits provided by some employers. Without the tax -- Republicans favor it as a brake on cost increases -- the prospects for a bipartisan deal in the Senate appear to be in jeopardy.
Timing is critical because lawmakers might be reluctant to vote on such a charged issue as health care next year, when all House members and one-third of senators face elections.
"We're not there yet," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has spent countless hours seeking a compromise with Republican colleagues. "I'm trying the best I can to get there soon."
Another senator deeply involved in the bipartisan negotiations said the proposed new tax on the costliest employer-paid insurance benefits is quickly losing favor with Democrats.
"It's clearly a very difficult issue," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., citing recent polls. "You go to the public to ask them what they think and they don't like it."
A compilation of surveys reviewed by senators showed at least 59 percent of the public opposed to taxing health care benefits to "pay for reform."
As a result, Conrad said, "we're looking at other options" to help finance a bill whose price tag is expected to reach $1 trillion or slightly more. Those other options may be hard to sell to Republicans whose support Baucus has been cultivating.
Baucus has long championed a tax on health benefits as the best way to pay for health care while simultaneously restraining the growth of the cost of coverage in the future. But the idea has drawn strong opposition from organized labor, a core Democratic constituency. House Democrats have been highly resistant, too, and Obama campaigned hard against it in last year's run for the White House.
The deal with the hospitals -- the one bright spot right now for Obama -- may also be on shaky ground. Officials said it's pegged to the Senate Finance Committee legislation that Baucus is negotiating, and whose prospects are uncertain. It would follow concessions from drug companies, and an announcement by Wal-Mart last week that it would support an employer requirement to help pay for health care.
Of the $155 billion in projected savings from hospitals, about $40 billion to $50 billion would come from reducing federal payments hospitals receive for providing care to uninsured and low-income patients, according to lobbyists. Those payments are now made through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Medicaid cuts would be apportioned by state, as 10 percent annual reductions beginning around 2015.
Officials of public hospitals say they have concerns such reductions could also squeeze funding for trauma centers and burn units, which receive Medicare and Medicaid money. But they wanted to see the fine print.
Other savings of about $100 billion would come from slowing increases in planned Medicare payments to hospitals. A small amount of savings would come from trimming the money hospitals get for preventing patients from being readmitted for additional care.
Hospitals would also get something out of the deal. They won an agreement that if the Finance Committee's legislation includes a public health insurance plan, it would reimburse hospitals at above the rates Medicare and Medicaid pay, which hospitals have long complained are insufficient.
The issue of a government insurance plan to compete against private companies continued to inflame sentiments on both sides of the political aisle. Republicans remain solidly opposed. Democrats, citing polls that show the public is open to the idea, are talking about a showdown on the issue.
Biden was joined at the White House by Rich Umbdenstock, president of the American Hospital Association, Richard Bracken, president of Hospital Corporation of America, Wayne Smith, president of Community Health Systems, and Sister Carol Keehan, president of Catholic Health Association of the United States.
"We know how urgently reform is needed, both for moral and economic purposes," said Keehan, who represents Catholic hospitals.
House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio criticized the hospital deal, saying it was negotiated out of public view. "The administration and congressional Democrats are literally bullying health care groups into cutting backroom deals to fund a government takeover of health care," Boehner said in a statement.
Associated Press writers David Espo, Erica Werner and Alan Fram contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is helping the nation celebrate its birthday and his daughter Malia celebrate hers.The president on Friday morning flew to Camp David, Md., for the first part of the first family's Fourth of July celebration, including daughter Malia's 11th birthday on Saturday. He set off with friend Martin Nesbitt to meet first lady Michelle Obama, who was already at Camp David.About 20 of Malia's tween-age friends will be on hand for the festivities. In an interview with The Associated Press, the president was bemused at the thought of being surrounded by so many girls. As he put it, "It's a little intimidating."The first family returns to the White House by Saturday evening to host 1,200 military families for a Fourth of July barbecue on the South Lawn.(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow; UPDATES to reflect Obama has already set off. corrects last sentence to say the Obamas are returning on Saturday not Friday.)Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is helping the nation celebrate its birthday and his daughter Malia celebrate hers.
The president on Friday morning flew to Camp David, Md., for the first part of the first family's Fourth of July celebration, including daughter Malia's 11th birthday on Saturday. He set off with friend Martin Nesbitt to meet first lady Michelle Obama, who was already at Camp David.
About 20 of Malia's tween-age friends will be on hand for the festivities. In an interview with The Associated Press, the president was bemused at the thought of being surrounded by so many girls. As he put it, "It's a little intimidating."
The first family returns to the White House by Saturday evening to host 1,200 military families for a Fourth of July barbecue on the South Lawn.
(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow; UPDATES to reflect Obama has already set off. corrects last sentence to say the Obamas are returning on Saturday not Friday.)
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
July 1, 2009, 1:16 pm Obama’s Health Care Town HallBy Jeff ZelenyDoug Mills/The New York Times President Obama embraced Debby Smith, a liver cancer patient, at a health care forum in Annandale, Va.ANNANDALE, Va. – Another week, another town meeting on health care. President Obama is set to arrive here shortly, in this suburban community outside of Washington, to continue his push to overhaul the nation’s health care system. The session is not broadcast on network television, unlike last week’s prime-time forum on ABC News, but rather on the White House Web site and a variety of social networking sites. At the Northern Virginia Community College, about 200 people in the studio audience have taken their seats. The president will take questions from them, as well as from people who submitted their queries through the White House’s official Facebook, You Tube and Twitter pages. It is the second online forum the White House has staged this year. In March, the president took questions from people via the Web as he was sitting in the East Wing. This time, he’s taken the show on the road. A video monitor here says, “The White House is Open for Questions.” Here on the East Coast, it starts at 1:15 p.m., and can be followed here . The White House is working to intensify a grass-roots push for its health care plan. With Congress on recess this week, the event here in Annandale is one of several intended to highlight the president’s urgent call to reduce costs to the health care system and lower the number of uninsured Americans. “One of the reasons the president is out there today is for people to get a better understanding of what his health plan will do,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, briefing reporters back at the White House on Wednesday afternoon. If you’re so inclined, tuned in. The White House show is about to begin.The Republican National Committee is watching, too, and offering a live online response
July 1, 2009, 1:16 pm
ANNANDALE, Va. – Another week, another town meeting on health care.
President Obama is set to arrive here shortly, in this suburban community outside of Washington, to continue his push to overhaul the nation’s health care system. The session is not broadcast on network television, unlike last week’s prime-time forum on ABC News, but rather on the White House Web site and a variety of social networking sites.
At the Northern Virginia Community College, about 200 people in the studio audience have taken their seats. The president will take questions from them, as well as from people who submitted their queries through the White House’s official Facebook, You Tube and Twitter pages.
It is the second online forum the White House has staged this year. In March, the president took questions from people via the Web as he was sitting in the East Wing. This time, he’s taken the show on the road. A video monitor here says, “The White House is Open for Questions.”
Here on the East Coast, it starts at 1:15 p.m., and can be followed here .
The White House is working to intensify a grass-roots push for its health care plan. With Congress on recess this week, the event here in Annandale is one of several intended to highlight the president’s urgent call to reduce costs to the health care system and lower the number of uninsured Americans.
“One of the reasons the president is out there today is for people to get a better understanding of what his health plan will do,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, briefing reporters back at the White House on Wednesday afternoon.
If you’re so inclined, tuned in. The White House show is about to begin.
The Republican National Committee is watching, too, and offering a live online response
Posted: Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:17 AM by Domenico MontanaroFiled Under: Barack Obama Obama meets with business leaders at the White House privately to discuss how "they've been able to create jobs despite the economic doldrums," the AP says. Obama will speak from the Rose Garden afterward. Also, the president will sit down with the AP in advance of his trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana next week. Obama heads to Camp David at the end of his day. Ahead of the first leg of his trip to Russia, Russia's President Dmitri Medvedev urged Obama to put aside their differences. "The new U.S. administration headed by President Obama is now demonstrating readiness to change the situation, and build more effective ... relations," Medvedev said in a video on the Kremlin Web site, per Reuters. "We are ready for this. ... "Now is not the time to discover who is in a more difficult position or who is tougher. It is time to join efforts. We must improve our relations to solve multiple global problems through joint efforts." The New York Times: "President Obama returned to the familiar trappings of a political campaign on Wednesday, holding a town-hall-style meeting where he sought to heighten the urgency surrounding the health care debate and dismissed critics who say the issue is too complex to tackle during his first year in office... With members of Congress away for the week, the president had the stage to himself as he promoted his plan to lower the cost of health care and make coverage more accessible. He cast his proposal as a cost-saver, rather than a giant expenditure, saying the economy was not likely to rally without reversing 'the crushing cost of health care.'" The New York Daily News: "President Obama played the comforter-in-chief Wednesday when a woman with kidney cancer, no insurance and little hope went looking for help at his health care summit. Obama gave an emotional Debby Smith a hug and a promise, but she also may have given him a hand by making herself a living argument for his health reform." A new Quinnipiac poll has Obama’s job approval at 57%-33%. Michael Scherer has a piece in the latest issue of Time, in which he writes about Vice President Biden and his role overseeing the implementation of the stimulus. “What really haunts the White House is the fear that much of the money might be spent less efficiently than it could have been... Hanging over all these concerns is the prospect that a second stimulus bill may be needed to bail out states in late 2010 or 2011... Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Biden has ordered his staff to return any call or e-mail from states and localities seeking guidance within 24 hours.” EMAIL THIS
Obama meets with business leaders at the White House privately to discuss how "they've been able to create jobs despite the economic doldrums," the AP says. Obama will speak from the Rose Garden afterward. Also, the president will sit down with the AP in advance of his trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana next week. Obama heads to Camp David at the end of his day. Ahead of the first leg of his trip to Russia, Russia's President Dmitri Medvedev urged Obama to put aside their differences. "The new U.S. administration headed by President Obama is now demonstrating readiness to change the situation, and build more effective ... relations," Medvedev said in a video on the Kremlin Web site, per Reuters. "We are ready for this. ... "Now is not the time to discover who is in a more difficult position or who is tougher. It is time to join efforts. We must improve our relations to solve multiple global problems through joint efforts."
The New York Times: "President Obama returned to the familiar trappings of a political campaign on Wednesday, holding a town-hall-style meeting where he sought to heighten the urgency surrounding the health care debate and dismissed critics who say the issue is too complex to tackle during his first year in office... With members of Congress away for the week, the president had the stage to himself as he promoted his plan to lower the cost of health care and make coverage more accessible. He cast his proposal as a cost-saver, rather than a giant expenditure, saying the economy was not likely to rally without reversing 'the crushing cost of health care.'"
The New York Daily News: "President Obama played the comforter-in-chief Wednesday when a woman with kidney cancer, no insurance and little hope went looking for help at his health care summit. Obama gave an emotional Debby Smith a hug and a promise, but she also may have given him a hand by making herself a living argument for his health reform."
A new Quinnipiac poll has Obama’s job approval at 57%-33%.
Michael Scherer has a piece in the latest issue of Time, in which he writes about Vice President Biden and his role overseeing the implementation of the stimulus. “What really haunts the White House is the fear that much of the money might be spent less efficiently than it could have been... Hanging over all these concerns is the prospect that a second stimulus bill may be needed to bail out states in late 2010 or 2011... Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Biden has ordered his staff to return any call or e-mail from states and localities seeking guidance within 24 hours.”
With home prices still falling, administration opens up rescue program to homeowners whose loans are 125% of their home's value.View photosNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Obama administration is widening its mortgage refinancing program to allow more borrowers hit hard by falling home prices to take part.Borrowers whose loans are now worth up to 125% of their home's value are now eligible to refinance their homes under the Obama foreclosure prevention plan announced in February. Previously, the limit was 105%.The move acknowledges that home prices in many areas have fallen so far that many people were shut out of the program. Some 67% of homeowners in Las Vegas -- one of the hardest hit areas and where Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan announced the expansion Wednesday -- owe more than their homes are worth.More than one in five borrowers are now underwater, with homes in parts of California and Florida losing more than 50% of their value, according to Zillow.com, a real estate Web site. Some 20 million people own homes worth less than their mortgages. "The president's Making Home Affordable plan is already helping far more than any previous foreclosure initiative and with today's announcement we will extend its reach still further," said Donovan.How many more people will be drawn to the program now, however, remains a question, especially since mortgage rates are on the rise. Administration officials do not have an estimate. Refinancings slow to ramp upSome 20,000 loans have been refinanced so far, according to the Treasury Department.The initiative waives the requirement that homeowners have at least 20% equity in their home, allowing them to take advantage of today's lower rates. Homeowners must still meet other criteria, including being current on their payments and having loans that are owned or backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The administration has set up a Web site, http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/, with more information.
With home prices still falling, administration opens up rescue program to homeowners whose loans are 125% of their home's value.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Obama administration is widening its mortgage refinancing program to allow more borrowers hit hard by falling home prices to take part.
Borrowers whose loans are now worth up to 125% of their home's value are now eligible to refinance their homes under the Obama foreclosure prevention plan announced in February. Previously, the limit was 105%.
The move acknowledges that home prices in many areas have fallen so far that many people were shut out of the program.
Some 67% of homeowners in Las Vegas -- one of the hardest hit areas and where Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan announced the expansion Wednesday -- owe more than their homes are worth.
More than one in five borrowers are now underwater, with homes in parts of California and Florida losing more than 50% of their value, according to Zillow.com, a real estate Web site. Some 20 million people own homes worth less than their mortgages.
"The president's Making Home Affordable plan is already helping far more than any previous foreclosure initiative and with today's announcement we will extend its reach still further," said Donovan.
How many more people will be drawn to the program now, however, remains a question, especially since mortgage rates are on the rise. Administration officials do not have an estimate.
Some 20,000 loans have been refinanced so far, according to the Treasury Department.
The initiative waives the requirement that homeowners have at least 20% equity in their home, allowing them to take advantage of today's lower rates. Homeowners must still meet other criteria, including being current on their payments and having loans that are owned or backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The administration has set up a Web site, http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/, with more information.
By JULIE PACE – 5 days ago WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama urged all Americans Thursday to find a way to serve their country this summer.The president and first lady Michelle Obama did their part at Fort McNair, helping volunteers load 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks and toys for children of the men and women of the armed forces."Serving our country is not just something that we should expect our members of our armed forces to do," Obama said, "That's something that we should expect all of us as citizens to do."The Obamas were joined by their daughters, Malia and Sasha, members of Congress and their families, and volunteers from nonprofit organizations.Promoting volunteerism and community service has been a priority for the Obamas. The president often credits his work as a community organizer in his early 20s for giving him direction in life.This week, Obama kicked off the "United We Serve" program, a service initiative led by the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service. The effort is aimed at getting people to tackle problems in the areas of education, health, energy and the environment and community renewal.Obama said community service is one way Americans can "make this country stronger."The initiative will continue through Sept. 11, which recently was designated by Congress as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.Earlier this year, the president signed a $5.7 billion national service bill that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years. It also expands ways for students to earn money for college by helping those in their neighborhoods.People can find local needs and volunteer opportunities online at http://www.serve.gov. Organizations can also post service events on the Web site.Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By JULIE PACE – 5 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama urged all Americans Thursday to find a way to serve their country this summer.
The president and first lady Michelle Obama did their part at Fort McNair, helping volunteers load 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks and toys for children of the men and women of the armed forces.
"Serving our country is not just something that we should expect our members of our armed forces to do," Obama said, "That's something that we should expect all of us as citizens to do."
The Obamas were joined by their daughters, Malia and Sasha, members of Congress and their families, and volunteers from nonprofit organizations.
Promoting volunteerism and community service has been a priority for the Obamas. The president often credits his work as a community organizer in his early 20s for giving him direction in life.
This week, Obama kicked off the "United We Serve" program, a service initiative led by the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service. The effort is aimed at getting people to tackle problems in the areas of education, health, energy and the environment and community renewal.
Obama said community service is one way Americans can "make this country stronger."
The initiative will continue through Sept. 11, which recently was designated by Congress as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Earlier this year, the president signed a $5.7 billion national service bill that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years. It also expands ways for students to earn money for college by helping those in their neighborhoods.
People can find local needs and volunteer opportunities online at http://www.serve.gov. Organizations can also post service events on the Web site.
By GARY MARTIN and RICHARD S. DUNHAMCopyright 2009 Houston Chronicle Washington BureauJune 25, 2009, 11:25PM Share Print Share Del.icio.usDiggTwitterYahoo! BuzzFacebookStumbleUponResources Speak outBlog: Immigration watch GraphicsGraphic: Locations of new border checkpoints MoreComplete coverage of immigration issues WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel bluntly admitted Thursday that “the votes aren’t there” to win comprehensive immigration legislation — even as President Barack Obama met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in an attempt to jump-start stalled reform efforts.Calling it one of the most critical issues facing the nation, Obama told the lawmakers, including Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, that the U.S. immigration system is “broken and needs fixing.”But Obama and Emanuel signaled that political obstacles are likely to make it difficult to reach consensus on sticking points such as guest workers and the legal status for 12 million immigrants here illegally. “It’s going to require some heavy lifting, it’s going to require a victory of practicality and common sense and good policy-making over short-term politics,” Obama said.After meeting with 34 lawmakers and Cabinet officials in the State Dining Room at the White House, Obama said he is encouraged “that after all the overheated rhetoric and occasional demagoguery on all sides around this issue, we’ve got a responsible set of leaders sitting around the table who want to actively get something done.”Obama appointed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to lead working groups to hash through the more politically volatile issues.GOP lawmakers called the closed-door meeting with Obama a good first step but remained skeptical that compromise could be reached quickly.“This is tough stuff. Tough politics,” said Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., a co-sponsor of a 2007 immigration bill that died in the Senate.Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., another co-sponsor of that bill, agreed that reaching consensus on some issues would be difficult. He cited organized labor opposition to temporary worker programs as one stumbling block that could trip up progress on overall reform.At a breakfast meeting with reporters, Emanuel said supporters of immigration reform lacked the votes to push through a comprehensive plan now — and he was not optimistic about winning approval this year, despite the president’s declaration that his administration is “fully behind an effort to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.”White House aides said a compromise could be reached that would allow Congress to pass a bill late in 2009 or early 2010.Some Republicans have criticized the president for not presenting a legislative plan to Congress.Cornyn, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, said that without a bill or legislative blueprint, the White House meeting was merely a “photo op.”Others, like Smith, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, called the White House meeting substantive but questioned the administration’s commitment to work site enforcement.Jennifer Dlouhy of the Washington bureau contributed to this report.gmartin@express-news.net richard.dunham@chron.com
WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel bluntly admitted Thursday that “the votes aren’t there” to win comprehensive immigration legislation — even as President Barack Obama met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in an attempt to jump-start stalled reform efforts.
Calling it one of the most critical issues facing the nation, Obama told the lawmakers, including Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, that the U.S. immigration system is “broken and needs fixing.”
But Obama and Emanuel signaled that political obstacles are likely to make it difficult to reach consensus on sticking points such as guest workers and the legal status for 12 million immigrants here illegally.
“It’s going to require some heavy lifting, it’s going to require a victory of practicality and common sense and good policy-making over short-term politics,” Obama said.
After meeting with 34 lawmakers and Cabinet officials in the State Dining Room at the White House, Obama said he is encouraged “that after all the overheated rhetoric and occasional demagoguery on all sides around this issue, we’ve got a responsible set of leaders sitting around the table who want to actively get something done.”
Obama appointed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to lead working groups to hash through the more politically volatile issues.
GOP lawmakers called the closed-door meeting with Obama a good first step but remained skeptical that compromise could be reached quickly.
“This is tough stuff. Tough politics,” said Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., a co-sponsor of a 2007 immigration bill that died in the Senate.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., another co-sponsor of that bill, agreed that reaching consensus on some issues would be difficult. He cited organized labor opposition to temporary worker programs as one stumbling block that could trip up progress on overall reform.
At a breakfast meeting with reporters, Emanuel said supporters of immigration reform lacked the votes to push through a comprehensive plan now — and he was not optimistic about winning approval this year, despite the president’s declaration that his administration is “fully behind an effort to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.”
White House aides said a compromise could be reached that would allow Congress to pass a bill late in 2009 or early 2010.
Some Republicans have criticized the president for not presenting a legislative plan to Congress.
Cornyn, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, said that without a bill or legislative blueprint, the White House meeting was merely a “photo op.”
Others, like Smith, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, called the White House meeting substantive but questioned the administration’s commitment to work site enforcement.
Jennifer Dlouhy of the Washington bureau contributed to this report.
richard.dunham@chron.com
1 of 1Full SizeMarket News Nikkei edges down 0.9 percent, financials retreat Wall St brakes on confidence data, but has upbeat Q2 | Video Oil falls 2 percent, U.S. consumer confidence weighs More Business & Investing News... By Nicole MaestriSAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), the world's largest retailer, said on Tuesday that it supports President Barack Obama's push to require large employers to offer health insurance to workers."We are for an employer mandate which is fair and broad in its coverage," stated a letter addressed to Obama and signed by Mike Duke, the chief executive of Wal-Mart; Andy Stern, the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and John Podesta, the CEO of the Center for American Progress.Wal-Mart's public statement of support for employer mandated coverage comes as Obama pushes for an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system. He has made a healthcare plan that reins in costs and covers most of the roughly 46 million uninsured Americans one of his top priorities.While the president has left much of the details of health reform to Congress, he has told U.S. lawmakers he is open to requiring larger companies to provide coverage for employees but exempting smaller businesses.In recent years, Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has come under fire by labor-backed critic groups that accused it of mistreating employees and not offering adequate healthcare coverage.Wal-Mart has worked to counter critics by promoting its healthcare initiatives, such as its $4 generic drug program. In 2007, it also joined with the SEIU, which has more than 1 million members, in calling for universal health-care coverage for all Americans by 2012.Wal-Mart said it supports an employer mandate that covers as many businesses as possible, as well as part-time and full-time employees. The requirement would ultimately save companies money, it added."This choice will require employers to consider the trade-off of agreeing to a coverage mandate and additional taxes versus the promise of reduced health care cost increases," it said.It also said health care reform legislation should include provisions that reduce health costs, and that the retailer would support legislation that would put a public healthcare plan in place should private health insurers fail to meet price and competition targets, also known as a "trigger" provision.(Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Adelphi, Maryland; Editing by Tim Dobbyn and Richard Chang)
1 of 1Full SizeMarket News Nikkei edges down 0.9 percent, financials retreat Wall St brakes on confidence data, but has upbeat Q2 | Video Oil falls 2 percent, U.S. consumer confidence weighs More Business & Investing News...
By Nicole Maestri
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), the world's largest retailer, said on Tuesday that it supports President Barack Obama's push to require large employers to offer health insurance to workers.
"We are for an employer mandate which is fair and broad in its coverage," stated a letter addressed to Obama and signed by Mike Duke, the chief executive of Wal-Mart; Andy Stern, the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and John Podesta, the CEO of the Center for American Progress.
Wal-Mart's public statement of support for employer mandated coverage comes as Obama pushes for an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system. He has made a healthcare plan that reins in costs and covers most of the roughly 46 million uninsured Americans one of his top priorities.
While the president has left much of the details of health reform to Congress, he has told U.S. lawmakers he is open to requiring larger companies to provide coverage for employees but exempting smaller businesses.
In recent years, Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has come under fire by labor-backed critic groups that accused it of mistreating employees and not offering adequate healthcare coverage.
Wal-Mart has worked to counter critics by promoting its healthcare initiatives, such as its $4 generic drug program. In 2007, it also joined with the SEIU, which has more than 1 million members, in calling for universal health-care coverage for all Americans by 2012.
Wal-Mart said it supports an employer mandate that covers as many businesses as possible, as well as part-time and full-time employees. The requirement would ultimately save companies money, it added.
"This choice will require employers to consider the trade-off of agreeing to a coverage mandate and additional taxes versus the promise of reduced health care cost increases," it said.
It also said health care reform legislation should include provisions that reduce health costs, and that the retailer would support legislation that would put a public healthcare plan in place should private health insurers fail to meet price and competition targets, also known as a "trigger" provision.
(Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Adelphi, Maryland; Editing by Tim Dobbyn and Richard Chang)
