Statements and Releases

August 21, 2009

President Obama Announces National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions

President Obama today announced the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions, a series of events to be held across the country.

August 21, 2009

Readout of the President's call with Brazilian President Lula

The President spoke with President Lula of Brazil this morning to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern in the Americas.

August 21, 2009

Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Korea to attend the funeral of former President Kim Dae-jung

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Seoul, Republic of Korea to attend the funeral of former President Kim Dae-jung on August 23, 2009.

August 20, 2009

Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records

Vice President Joe Biden today announced the availability of grants worth nearly $1.2 billion to help hospitals and health care providers implement and use electronic health records. The grants will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and will help health care providers qualify for new incentives that will be made available in 2010 to doctors and hospitals that meaningfully use electronic health records.

August 20, 2009

Statement by the Press Secretary on the release of Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi

The United States deeply regrets the decision by the Scottish Executive to release Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi.

August 19, 2009

Today: Background Conference Call with Senior Administration Official to Discuss Cash for Clunkers

Today at 4:00PM EDT, the White House will hold a background briefing call with a senior administration official to discuss the Cash for Clunkers program.

August 19, 2009

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

Vice President Biden called Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this afternoon to express strong condemnation of recent bombings and U.S. solidarity with Iraq as it contends with violent extremists.

August 19, 2009

Background on the Ceremony to Honor 2008 Nascar Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson at the White House Today

President Obama will deliver remarks at an event honoring the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson.

August 19, 2009

Vice President Biden, Secretary Duncan highlight recovery act success in Florida

Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today visited Jackson Middle School in Orlando, highlighting how the Recovery Act is saving tens of thousands of teaching jobs and providing the resources necessary to prepare American students for the 21st century economy.

August 18, 2009

Statement by the Press Secretary on the meeting between President Obama and former President Clinton

President Obama today met in the Situation Room with former President Clinton for nearly forty minutes to thank him in person for undertaking the humanitarian mission to secure the release of two American citizens who had been detained by North Korea for over four months.

Briefing Room