President Baeack Obama: "Michael Chima, add your name to mine"

President Obama signs the heathcare bill in the East Room of the White House. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press / March 23, 2010)

Michael Chima, add your name to mine


Michael Chima --

I'm writing to you on a great day for America.

This morning, I gathered with members of Congress, my administration, and hardworking volunteers from every part of the country to sign comprehensive health care reform into law. Thanks to the immeasurable efforts of so many, the dream of reform is now a reality.

The bill I just signed puts Americans in charge of our own health care by enacting three key changes:

It establishes the toughest patient protections in history.

It guarantees all Americans affordable health insurance options, extending coverage to 32 million who are currently uninsured.

And it reduces the cost of care -- cutting over 1 trillion dollars from the federal deficit over the next two decades.

To ensure a successful, stable transition, many of these changes will phase into full effect over the next several years.

But for millions of Americans, many of the benefits of reform will begin this year -- some even taking effect this afternoon. Here are just a few examples:

Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.

Seniors will receive a rebate to reduce drug costs not yet covered under Medicare.

Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents' plan until the age of 26.

Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.

Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.

Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.

Insured Americans will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.

All Americans will benefit from significant new investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, and the creation of state-level consumer assistance programs to help all patients understand and defend our new rights.

As I've said many times, and as I know to be true, this astounding victory could not have been achieved without your tireless efforts.

So as we celebrate this great day, I want to invite you to add your name where it belongs: alongside mine as a co-signer of this historic legislation. Organizing for America will record the names of co-signers as a permanent commemoration of those who came together to make this moment possible -- all of you who refused to give up until the dream of many generations for affordable, quality care for all Americans was finally fulfilled.

So, if you haven't yet, please add your name as a proud health care reform co-signer today:

http://my.barackobama.com/cosigner

Please accept my thanks for your voice, for your courage, and for your indispensable partnership in the great work of creating change.

History, and I, are in your debt.

President Barack Obama

CLICK HERE TO READ THE TRANSCRIPT.


Health Care Reform
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
23 Mar 2010
21:44
Health Insurance Reform Delivers on Promise of America
21:13
The Children's Aid Society Lauds Unprecedented Federal Support for Improving Children's Health
20:42
Betsy McCaughey: Government Control of Your Body
20:28
National Democratic Strategist Bob Weiner Discusses Healthcare, Political Aftermath, Obama Agenda in Radio Interview
20:04
Alzheimer's Foundation of America Hails Significant Provisions for Dementia Community in Health Reform Law
19:44
Mental Health America Hails Enactment of Historic Health Care Reform Bill
19:41
President Signs Health Reform Bill that Aids Small Business
18:11
Pelosi: 'Health Insurance Reform Will Stand Alongside Social Security and Medicare in American History'
18:02
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on the Signing of 'The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act'
16:05
NASS Survey Finds Physicians Ready to Make Major Changes in Medicare Practices
13:28
PA Breast Cancer Coalition Encouraged by Passing of Health Care Reform Bill
13:00
Uninsured in Atlanta Area to Receive Help as Health Care Reform Passes
22 Mar 2010
21:13
Statement From 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Chairman Albert E. Dotson, Jr. Regarding the Passing of the Health Care Reform Bill
22:47
Health Care Reform Bill Will Also Improve Long-Term Care
18:27
Larsen Response to Healthcare Reform Passage - Individual Mandate Unconstitutional; Business the Big Losers
17:32
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George Hails Passage of Health Care Reform
17:20
Governor Rendell Addresses Health Insurance Reform
17:18
Introducing AIS's Health Reform Week
17:04
PROFNET EXPERT ALERTS: Health Care Reform
16:36
AAHSA Statement on Passage of Health Reform Legislation
16:15
Bauer Says the Only Remedy for the "Tragic Mistake" of the Health Care Vote Is at the Ballot Box
15:42
CCH Issues Briefing on Tax Provisions of Health Care Reform Legislation
15:09
AARP Applauds House Health Insurance Reform Vote
15:00
Pew Statement on the Physician Payments Sunshine Act
14:58
Small Business Advocate Statement on House Health Care Vote
14:38
NCPA Commends Pharmacy Provisions in House-Passed Health Care Reform Bill
14:33
AARP Pennsylvania Key Vote News Alert: AARP Applauds House Health Insurance Reform Vote
14:22
Providence Service Corporation Comments on Health Care Reform Passage
13:11
USW Applauds Historic Step for Health Care Reform
07:13
AARP Applauds House Health Insurance Reform Vote
06:53
DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Praises Historic Passage of Health Insurance Reform
06:42
AARP Idaho Key Vote News Alert
06:06
National Alliance for Hispanic Health President and CEO Applauds House Action, Calls on Senate to Pass Reconciliation Bill
05:58
Pelosi: 'Today, We Have the Opportunity to Complete the Great Unfinished Business of Our Society and Pass Health Insurance Reform for All Americans'
05:31
Catholic Health Association Congratulates Nation's Leaders For Enacting Historic Health Reform
05:27
APHA Applauds House Passage of Health Reform
05:09
PhRMA Statement on Health Care Reform
04:55
'A Monumentally Important Victory for Our Country'
04:06
Healthcare Reform: One Step Forward for America; One Step Back for Women's Rights
03:32
'A Small Step For Today. A Giant Step For Tomorrow'
21 Mar 2010
20:27
Rep. Fattah Says Small Businesses in Philadelphia Are Big Winners in Today's Healthcare Reform
17:07
CAIR: Muslim Congressman Called 'N**ger' by Tea Party Protesters
19 Mar 2010
20:55
Hispanic Groups Urge Congress To Vote No On The Health Care Legislation
19:57
APHA Urges House to Approve Health Reform
19:16
AARP Backs Health Reform Package: Would Deliver Needed Relief to Idaho
19:06
Judicial Watch: Slaughter Rule Unconstitutional
17:57
Majority of Physicians Express Unfavorable Opinions of Health Care Reform Plan
17:28
Tea Party Patriots Gather in Opposition to Government Takeover of Health Care
17:26
Letter Carriers Union Urges House to Pass Health Care Bill
17:22
Rep. Fattah Says Student College Loan Reform as Part of Healthcare Bill is "a Win-Win of Historic Proportions"
17:19
Family Research Council, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and National Right to Life Committee to Host News Conference Call Today at 3 PM ET
17:09
AMA Holds Telephone News Conference Today to Announce Position on New Health System Reform Legislation
16:42
Citing a BAD Bill and a BAD Process, RetireSafe Urges Calls to Congress to Stop the Health CARE Reform Bill
00:49
Statement on Ad-Campaign Attacking Congressman Bart Stupak
00:19
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Calls for Passage of Health Care Reform
18 Mar 2010
16:59
Idaho Enacts Health Care Freedom Act
16:37
U.S. Bishops Provide Resources Explaining Flaws in Senate Health Care Bill
16:11
Machinists Members Adamantly Opposed to Health Care Excise Tax
15:45
Frequent Users of the ER: Sick, Insured and White
13:00
Senator Coburn MD (R. OK) Engages Physicians on Sermo to Gauge Reaction to Healthcare Reform Bill
00:04
League TV Ad: Appointment of Congressman's Brother 'Suspicious Timing'
17 Mar 2010
22:03
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, the Nation's Top Union Leader, Joining Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George, Secretary-Treasurer Richard Bloomingdale and Philadelphia AFL-CIO President Patrick Eiding in Leading Two Workers' Rallies in Downtown Philadelphia on Friday, March 19, 2010
15:56
Nation's Leading Voice of Doctors Develops Educational Ad
13:00
SBCA Urges House Members to Vote Against Senate Health Care Bill
16 Mar 2010
22:15
Hoffa on Health Care Reform: 'Time to Get This Done'
20:00
Statement From Larry Minnix, President & CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, on the Beginning of the Reconciliation Process for Health Reform Legislation
16:25
U.S. Chamber Releases 10 District Polls Showing Voters Opposed to Current Health Care Proposal
15:04
Health Care Reform: Latest Employer Views Regarding Impact of Key Provisions
15 Mar 2010
18:20
Does the U.S. Need to Ration Costly End-of-Life Care?
17:14
LightSource Poll by KJT Group Shows Americans' Disdain for the Cost of Reforming Health Care
12 Mar 2010
18:06
What Real Health Care Reform Must Address
9 Mar 2010
19:57
Americans for Responsible Health Care Launch Radio Ads Targeting Seven Democrats, Warning 'The People Are Watching...'
19:26
Ambiguous Language Could Drive Up Rather Than Curtail Health Care Costs
4 Mar 2010
02:05
DNC Chairman Kaine Joins President Obama in Calling on Congress to Finish the Job, Pass Health Insurance Reform
3 Mar 2010
22:41
Obama Proposes Health Care Bill Fully Funding Abortion
21:31
On Healthcare: Step Up or Step Out of the Way
21:29
Pelosi: We Will Move Forward on Health Insurance Reform, Including Best Ideas of Democrats and Republicans
21:11
DNC Chairman Kaine Joins President Obama in Calling on Congress to Finish the Job, Pass Health Insurance Reform
2 Mar 2010
22:45
President Obama Endorses Health Courts - A Concept Championed by Common Good to Restore Medical Justice and Eliminate Waste Associated with Defensive Medicine
1 Mar 2010
15:30
TV Ads Target House Members Who Voted for Obamacare
14:36
Broad Health Coalition Disappointed That Health Care Summit Yields Little Progress on Medical Liability Reform