Ed. Note: For more information on federal response resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those in affected areas visit WhiteHouse.gov/Deepwater-BP-Oil-Spill.

In the first Oval Office address of his presidency, President Obama outlined his commitment to fighting the full impacts of the BP oil spill with everything we’ve got for as long as it takes.

• Read the President's remarks

Below is the latest in the ongoing Administration-wide response provided by the Joint Information Center.  

Heidi Avery is White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor

No one pays a higher price for our freedom than our nation’s veterans. They deserve our support long after they return from the fields of battle. Unfortunately, many of these brave men and women struggle with the process of re-adapting to civilian life, and they have difficulty reentering the very workforce they left behind to fight for our freedom.

This administration has made a number of investments to stabilize and strengthen the growing economy. As Secretary of Labor, I’m extremely proud to support our veterans -- young and old -- by providing the job training and re-employment assistance they need and deserve. As a part of this process it is crucial to highlight the opportunities and possibilities in the growing renewable energy economy.

 Earlier today I was pleased to announce $9 million in grants to provide veterans with green jobs training. As a result of these grants an estimated 4,000 veterans will receive invaluable individual job counseling, classroom or on-the-job training, placement assistance and other crucial follow-up services is a number of growing green industries.

This effort is part of our Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) aimed at helping Veterans from targeted groups overcome employment barriers. These grants will provide additional resources related to: energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit; renewable electric power; energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicles; bio-fuels; deconstruction and materials use; energy efficiency assessment; and manufacturers that produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials.

Green industries allow us to invest in the manufacturing sector so we are exporting products — not paychecks. In addition, these new investments mean encouraging and, at the same time demanding, innovative partnerships.

The grants announced today are showcasing partnerships and opportunities for collaboration with Veterans services provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as employment services provided by thousands of local One-Stop Career Centers around the country.

Green jobs can help re-start our economy and put Americans--especially our Veterans--back to work.

A full list of the grant winners, along with additional employment resources for Veterans is available on our Veterans' Employment & Training Service website at www.dol.gov/vets. 
 
Hilda Solis is the Secretary of Labor.

Ed. Note: For more information on Federal response resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those in affected areas visit WhiteHouse.gov/Deepwater-BP-Oil-Spill.

This evening at 8 p.m. EDT, President Obama will address the Nation about the disaster in the Gulf and the road ahead. This comes after the end of a two-day trip through Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, all states affected by the oil spill.

Across the country, many have questions about how this disaster happened -- and what's being done to make things right. To better understand what people want to know, we are offering a way for anyone to vote on questions about the oil spill or submit their own. After the President finishes, Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, will answer some of the most popular questions.

You can get started right now by heading over to YouTube.com/WhiteHouse.

And at 8pm, the President's address and the follow-up Q&A with Robert Gibbs will be streamed live there and at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Throughout the health reform debate, the President has been clear that we should build on the insurance system we have, keeping the parts that work and gradually fixing the parts that don’t.

The Affordable Care Act is designed to let Americans keep their health insurance if they like it while adding important consumer benefits to give businesses, families and individuals higher quality care at lower prices and more control over their own care.

Later today, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and I will announce the latest step we’re taking to implement the Affordable Care Act with the announcement of a new regulation that is a key part of this approach. 

The new regulation will expand new consumer protections to all Americans with health insurance, moving us toward the competitive, patient-centered market of the future.  This rule reflects the President’s policy that Americans should be able to keep their health plan and doctor if they want.

Here’s how the new rule will work:

• Starting with health plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, Americans with private health insurance plans will get some new consumer protections.  For example, insurance companies will be prohibited from putting lifetime limits on your coverage.  And they’ll no longer be able to cancel your insurance when you get sick just by finding an error in your paperwork.
• Health coverage that was in effect when the Affordable Care Act was enacted will be exempt from some provisions in the Act if they remain “grandfathered” under a provision in the law.  Under the rule issued today, employers or issuers offering such coverage will have the flexibility of making reasonable changes without losing their “grandfathered” status.  For example, employers will be able to make some changes to the benefits their plans offer, raise premiums or change employee cost-sharing to keep pace with health costs within some limits, and continue to enroll new employees and their families.
• However, if health plans significantly raise co-payments or deductibles, or if they significantly reduce benefits – for example, if they stop covering treatment for a disease like HIV/AIDS or cystic fibrosis – they’ll lose their grandfathered status and their customers will get the same full set of consumer protections as new plans.

The bottom line is that under the Affordable Care Act, if you like your doctor and plan, you can keep them.  But if you aren’t satisfied with your insurance options today, the Affordable Care Act provides for better, more affordable health care choices through new consumer protections.  And beginning in 2014, it creates health insurance exchanges that will offer individuals and small businesses better, more affordable choices.

For more information about this rule, read the fact sheet and the Q&A. 

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthreform.gov.

Kathleen Sebelius is Secretary of Health and Human Services 

Cross posted from the Department of Transportation blog.

"Without the Recovery Act, we would not be here."

Those words were spoken by California Senator Barbara Boxer earlier this month as we broke ground for a new control tower at Palm Springs International Airport. The tower, which will improve safety considerably for the 71,000 takeoffs and landings each year, is one more good airport project made possible by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Senator Barbara Boxer of California attend a ground breaking cermony at Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, California.

The new tower will replace a 60-foot tower built in 1967 with a 150-foot tower. Solar panels will be installed atop the structure to provide power. With an unobstructed view of the entire airport, five controllers will be able to provide safe separation for aircraft and vehicle traffic on the tarmac and in airspace within a 5-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet.

Senator Boxer said that, thanks to the Obama Administration and Congress, "We did something very important here for our community, for safety, and for jobs."
 
Now, the proliferation of orange cones on our nation's highways this summer are visible signs of the Recovery Act working for America. But people might not be aware of the tremendous work the Federal Aviation Administration has done through the Recovery Act to improve our nation's airports.

From March 23, 2009, the date FAA awarded its first ARRA grant, through last week, FAA has awarded 100% of its $1.1 billion in airport improvement funds. Construction is underway on all 362 airport improvement projects, and 239 of those projects are already substantially complete.

That means improved safety in airports across America. It also means over 3,000 jobs created or retained because of FAA-issued Recovery Act grants.

As California Representative George Miller noted recently, "Before this Congress and President Obama took decisive action, our nation was losing more than 750,000 jobs a month. It is clear that without the Recovery Act, our nation would be still dealing with an economic catastrophe."

The Recovery Act has enabled the FAA to improve runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, aircraft rescue and firefighting buildings, airport equipment, noise mitigation, runway safety areas, and security.
These projects have not only meant jobs for thousands; they have also improved service and safety at US airports for everyone.

Today, a new survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) looks at the cost of health care and to no one’s surprise, finds that costs are rising. But the survey also notes that the Affordable Care Act has the potential to help bring down health care costs. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you are reviewing the study:

• Timing is everything. The survey was done in the first quarter of 2010 – before the Affordable Care Act was enacted and highlights some of the problems the Act was designed to address
• Praise for the new law. PWC officials note that the Affordable Care Act “could bring significant new cost savings opportunities for employers and payers as well as new choices and transparency for workers buying insurance” and that it is “designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency."  PWC officials also note that increasing the number of Americans with insurance will help reduce shifting costs from employers to employees. And the new health insurance exchanges can help create new opportunities to bring down costs. 
• The Affordable Care Act helps solve important problems and strengthen the health care system for all of us. Several provisions of the Affordable Care Act are designed to address the very issues raised by this report. For example:
  • Market reforms that limit cost-sharing in new job-based plans and discourage unreasonable premium increases will help keep prices down for businesses and their employees.
  • Premium review grants that provide incentives to states to review health insurance premium increases before they take effect.
  • An early retiree reinsurance program to encourage employers to maintain coverage essential to retirees not yet eligible for Medicare will provide $5 billion to businesses to make it easier for them to cover retirees.
  • Delivery system reforms will help improve the quality of care and decrease costs by paying for the quality of care, not the quantity of care.

The Affordable Care Act is less than three months old, but it is well on the way to making the health care system better for all of us. The President has directed his implementation team to extend coverage to young adults early, and most insurance companies are already extending coverage.  Small businesses are already taking advantage of the small business tax credit, the first round of  $250 rebate checks to seniors who have hit the prescription drug donut hole have been mailed, and the employee retiree reinsurance program has been implemented before the law requires. In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to implement the law carefully to help make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans and give Americans more control over their own care.

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President for Special Projects

This morning the President met with senior advisors regarding the BP oil spill and talked with British Prime Minister David Cameron about that and other issues, here's a readout of the call from the press office along with photos of both:

The President and British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke today by telephone in their first substantive conversation since the President’s congratulatory call on May 22, 2010. The President looks forward to seeing Cameron in Canada later this month and in Washington on July 20. The President affirmed his deep commitment to the special and historic relationship between our two countries. The President thanked the Prime Minister for his commitment to lead on the broad range of issues on our shared agenda. The two leaders discussed Afghanistan, including the Prime Minister's recent visit, and they reaffirmed their firm commitment to NATO’s ISAF mission. They discussed the decision by the United Nations Security Council to impose the strongest sanctions to date on Iran and the importance of follow-on action being taken at the upcoming European Council meeting, and they underscored the need for Iran to live up to its international obligations. They also exchanged views on economic issues, including preparations for the G-8/G-20 meetings later this month. The President and the Prime Minister discussed the impact of tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, reiterating that BP must do all it can to respond effectively to the situation. Finally, the President and the Prime Minister agreed to disagree on the desired outcome of the June 12 U.S.-England World Cup soccer match; the President noted that the historical record of previous World Cup matches between the United States and England favors the United States and the President wagered the best lager against the best beer in America on an American win over England.

President Barack Obama meets with senior advisors regarding the ongoing response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Oval Office, Saturday, June 12, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama talks on the phone in the Oval Office with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Saturday, June 12, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Many people perceive that the current medical malpractice system is ineffective and unfair to both physicians and patients.  On one hand, the Institute of Medicine has estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans die each year because of preventable medical errors.  Too many patients experience significant challenges with health care quality and patient safety, and many injured patients are not well served by the current medical liability system.  Many doctors believe that the current system encourages frivolous lawsuits that tarnish reputations and contributes to the escalating cost of health care.

As reviews by both the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) have revealed, we lack a solid evidence base for determining which practices will provide fair and prompt compensation to patients, reduce preventable injuries, improve the quality of care, and reduce liability premiums.

The 20 grants awarded today by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are an important step in the right direction.  They will fund programs that aim to reduce avoidable injuries. For instance, one program in Massachusetts aims to reduce errors in primary care physician offices, particularly concerning medications and referrals.  Another in Minnesota targets patient safety around childbirth by instituting best practices at 16 hospitals statewide and determining if there is a correlation between fewer complications in childbirth and malpractice suits targeted at obstetricians.  A third, in Oregon, will develop and work to implement a “safe harbor” system in which physicians who prove they adhered to evidence based guidelines are protected from frivolous lawsuits.

Many of these grants will rigorously test so-called “disclosure and early offer” interventions, which was the keystone of a 2005 medical malpractice bill proposed by then-Senators Obama and Clinton. These interventions inform injured patients and families promptly and make efforts to provide prompt and fair compensation.

The grants were praised by J. James Rohack, M.D., the President of the American Medical Association who said “The AMA is pleased that federal medical liability reform demonstration projects are quickly moving forward, with $25 million in grants to state programs announced today.”

The HHS Patient Safety and Medical Liability initiative program represents the largest investment in malpractice reform by the Federal government in at least 20 years.  It will give states and health systems the information they need to improve their malpractice systems, making them more fair and efficient for both patients and doctors. 

Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D., is Special Advisor for Health Policy with the Office of Management and Budget

Earlier the week, President Obama and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius participated in a health care tele-town hall with seniors at the Holiday Park Multipurpose Senior Center in Wheaton, Maryland.  In coordination with dozens of participating organizations, seniors across the country gathered at watch parties, called-in to ask questions, and got answers from the senior administration officials on hand at various local events.  Many more questions came in than could be answered during the tele-town hall but there are a number of ways that seniors, or their friends and family, can get the answers they need. 

The Medicare website and hotline (1-800-MEDICARE) are best places to get the facts about new benefits that will soon be available under the Affordable Care Act.  In an effort to continue sharing accurate and reliable information, here are answers to some of the questions that were submitted to the White House Facebook page in advance of the event:

Vic Eng:  Can more be done for seniors who want family to care for them in their later years?  Families need to be compensated as much as health care assistants.

Yes, more can be done.  The Affordable Care Act includes an important new program to help seniors and others stay in their homes by making community-based care an alternative to nursing homes.  The program, called the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program, is a voluntary, enrollment based insurance program that provides Americans with a cash allowance to help subsidize costs of staying at home if you get sick or disabled.   This program will be available in 2012.  For more information about the CLASS Program, click here.    

The new law includes a number of additional provisions that make it easier for seniors to stay in their community, rather than a nursing home.  For instance, the new law gives States the option to extend full Medicaid benefits to certain individuals receiving home and community-based services.  In addition, the “Community First” Choice provision allows States to offer community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities who would otherwise require institutional care.

Marcia Killingsworth: At what age is one a senior?

While there is no technical definition of a “senior,” typically, the term refers to Americans who qualify for Medicare, ages 65 and older.

Alan Sutovsky: The most common question amongst seniors from organizations I have worked with as of late is – will the new laws be flexible enough to accommodate existing solutions that worked well in the local communities? Many feel it would be a shame to discount or eliminate patterns that have already helped to save costs and provide care.

The Affordable Care Act builds upon our existing system to strengthen health care for all Americans.  It does not change the structure, nor put government in charge – it puts consumers in control of their own care.  Under the new law, States will have the option of pursuing their own reform plans, including running exchanges, adopting delivery system reform in Medicaid, and working with local providers to test innovative ideas through the Medicare and Medicaid Center for Innovation.  The new law also invests in local communities by providing new funding to support the construction and expansion of community health centers, allowing these centers to serve some 20 million new patients across the country.

JL Richardson:  Good to hear you will be talking about Medicare. It is so sad to hear that it may be gone by 2030.  Cutting doctors' payments is leading to more doctors opting out of caring for Medicare patients.  How will Medicare be kept solvent, Mr. President?

The Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare’s financial health for the future.  Over the next 20 years, Medicare spending will grow at a slower rate as a result of rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.  This will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by 12 years and provide cost savings to Medicare beneficiaries. 

In addition, to further protect Medicare and taxpayer dollars, the President has directed HHS to cut the improper payment rate, which tracks fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, in half by 2012, and .  U.S. Attorneys nationwide are redoubling their efforts to coordinate with state and local law enforcement to prevent and prosecute fraud.

The President is also committed to reforming the way in which we compensate doctors under Medicare, because right now it doesn’t make any sense.  He’s going to keep fighting for doctor pay that is more cost-effective and efficient.  The President has urged Congress to pass a short-term fix now, and to continue working toward a more permanent, long-term fix for the future.  Here’s what he said just tihs week: 

“If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.  In fact, we’re taking steps to increase the number of primary care physicians so that seniors get the care that they need.  And I’m committed to reforming the way in which we compensate doctors under Medicare, because right now it doesn’t make any sense.  I don’t think -- some of you may be aware of the fact that we’ve got this patchwork system where Medicare doctors each year have to see if they’re going to get reimbursed properly or not.  And we’ve got to change that, and that’s something that I’m committed to doing.  And I’m going to keep fighting for doctor pay that is more cost-effective and efficient, and I urge Congress to pass a short-term fix today and then we need to fix this thing over the long term tomorrow.”

Cleveland Gibbs:  What’s in it for the veterans?

The Affordable Care Act builds upon the Obama Administration’s historic investments  in veterans’ health care to ensure efficient, timely, and predictable medical services for veterans.  Veterans eligible for VA benefits remain eligible under health reform—nothing in the legislation affects veterans’ access to the care they currently receive. Nor does the new law change TRICARE or TRICARE for Life.  In addition, The Act does not require anyone to change their health insurance coverage, but it does ensure increased health insurance options as well as expanded consumer protections to prevent insurance companies from denying or setting limits on coverage.  Millions of veterans have access to the essential creditable coverage through the VA system and therefore have met the individual responsibility requirement.  However, for those that want to purchase coverage in the Exchange with their own dollars, they may do so.  The law expands protections to prevent insurance companies from denying or setting limits on coverage, an important issue for veterans with a disability or chronic conditions.

Michael Quallet:  Ask him how he's going to pay for it.

The Affordable Care Act is fully paid for by reducing waste, fraud and abuse in the current system and by instituting reforms that will make our health care system more efficient and provide higher quality care. The law puts our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next ten years – and by more than $1 trillion over the second decade.

Robyn Scott:  Why should I pay for my healthcare and then have to pay for someone else's as well?  Why is it ok for the Federal government to force me to do this, and to force any American to make a purchase? Hello, has anyone read the Constitution?

The new law will make health insurance affordable for everyone, with tax credits for those who need help buying coverage and a hardship waiver for those who still can’t afford it.  But it is important that everyone be covered.  Otherwise, the cost of caring for the uninsured will continue to be shifted to people with insurance, as it is today.  Right now, families with insurance pay a $1000 hidden tax to pay the cost of caring for the uninsured. 

Beginning in 2014, when the law is fully implemented, state Exchanges will offer individuals and small businesses more affordable and higher quality health care choices, the same choices as Members of Congress.    Most individuals will be required to maintain minimum coverage or pay an assessment equal to the greater of $95 or 1 percent of income in 2014, $325 or 2 percent of income in 2015, $695 or 2.5 percent of income in 2016 and indexed thereafter.

Watch the video or read the transcript to learn more about the tele-town hall event and get the facts.   Join the White House Facebook page to get updates and participate in upcoming events.

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President for Special Projects