Nancy's Story: No Longer Choosing Between Paying Rent and Paying for Health Insurance

December 23, 2013
11:00 AM EDT

Ten years ago, skyrocketing premiums forced Nancy Beigel to choose between paying rent and paying for health insurance. She dropped her coverage and has been uninsured since then.

When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, a doctor told her it would be nearly impossible to find new coverage, since she now had a pre-existing condition. She pays out of pocket for her health care, but has many medical bills she can’t afford to pay off.

Nancy shared her story with President Obama, and told him she’d been “counting the days” until she could buy coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, where insurance companies couldn't turn her down due to her pre-existing condition. See what else she had to say in the video below, or watch on YouTube.

President Obama Honors Outstanding Early-Career Scientists

President Obama today named 102 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. The winners will receive their awards at a Washington, DC, ceremony in the coming year.

“The impressive achievements of these early-stage scientists and engineers are promising indicators of even greater successes ahead,” President Obama said. “We are grateful for their commitment to generating the scientific and technical advancements that will ensure America’s global leadership for many years to come.”

The Presidential Early Career Awards embody the high priority the Obama Administration places on producing outstanding scientists and engineers to advance the Nation’s goals, tackle grand challenges, and contribute to the American economy. The recipients are employed or funded by the following departments and agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Intelligence Community, which join together annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America’s preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies' missions.

The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.

This year’s recipients are:

Department of Agriculture

Dr. Steven Cannon, Iowa State University

Dr. Isis Mullarky, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Dr. Justin Runyon, U.S. Forest Service

Department of Commerce

Dr. Gretchen Campbell, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Dr. Adam Clark, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Alan Haynie, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Dr. R. Joseph Kline, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Dr. Ana Rey, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado at Boulder

Dr. Scott Weaver, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Department of Defense

Dr. Jennifer Dionne, Stanford University

Dr. Mohamed El-Naggar, University of Southern California

Dr. Gregory Fuchs, Cornell University

Dr. Kristen Grauman, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Mona Jarrahi, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor

Mr. Lane Martin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Yael Niv, Princeton University

Dr. Derek Paley, University of Maryland

Dr. Greg Pitz, Air Force Research Laboratory

Dr. Ronald Polcawich, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Dr. Rodney Priestley, Princeton University

Dr. Jeremy Robinson, Naval Research Laboratory

Dr. Onome Scott-Emuakpor, Air Force Research Laboratory

Dr. Ramon van Handel, Princeton University

Dr. David Weld, University of California at Santa Barbara

Dr. Yongjie Zhang, Carnegie Mellon University

Department of Education

Dr. Jeffrey Karpicke, Purdue University*

Dr. Young-Suk Kim, Florida State University

Department of Energy

Dr. Brian Anderson, West Virginia University

Dr. Theodore Betley, Harvard University

Dr. Matthew Brake, Sandia National Laboratories

Mr. Adrian Chavez, Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Gary Douberly, University of Georgia

Dr. Mattan Erez, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Sean Hartnoll, Stanford University

Dr. Daniel Kasen, University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Dr. Meimei Li, Argonne National Laboratory

Dr. Miguel Morales, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Dr. Jennifer Reed, University of Wisconsin at Madison

Dr. Seth Root, Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Adam Weber, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Debra Auguste, City College of New York

Dr. Jessica Belser, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Jeremy Clark, University of Washington

Dr. Andreea Creanga, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Damien Fair, Oregon Health and Science University

Dr. Thomas Fazzio, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Dr. Jessica Gill, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Andrew Goodman, Yale University School of Medicine

Dr. Aron Hall, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Xue Han, Boston University

Dr. Susan Harbison, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Richard Ho, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Shingo Kajimura, University of California at San Francisco

Dr. Young Kim, Yale University School of Medicine

Dr. Todd Macfarlan, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Gaby Maimon, Rockefeller University

Dr. Sandra McAllister, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Quyen Nguyen, University of California at San Diego

Dr. Sallie Permar, Duke University School of Medicine

Dr. Katherine Radek, Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Katherine Rauen, University of California at San Francisco

Dr. Ida Spruill, Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Andrew Yoo, Washington University School of Medicine

Department of Interior

Dr. Anna Chalfoun, U.S. Geological Survey

Dr. Gavin Hayes, U.S. Geological Survey

Dr. Burke Minsley, U.S. Geological Survey

Department of Veterans Affairs

Dr. Karunesh Ganguly, San Francisco VA Medical Center

Dr. Brian Head, VA San Diego Healthcare System

Dr. Katherine Iverson, VA Boston Healthcare System

Dr. Hardeep Singh, Houston VA Medical Center

Environmental Protection Agency

Dr. Steven Purucker, Environmental Protection Agency

Intelligence Community

Dr. Joeanna Arthur, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Dr. Lucy Cohan, Central Intelligence Agency

Mr. Justin Jacobs, National Security Agency

Dr. Steven Jaslar, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Dr. Daniel Stick, Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Charles Tahan, National Security Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Dr. Joshua Alwood, NASA Ames Research Center

Dr. Douglas Hoffmann, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology

Dr. Randall McEntaffer, University of Iowa

Dr. Tamlin Pavelsky, University of North Carolina

Dr. Patrick Taylor, NASA Langley Research Center

National Science Foundation

Dr. Theodor Agapie, California Institute of Technology

Dr. Javier Arce-Nazario, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey

Dr. Sarah Bergbreiter, University of Maryland at College Park

Dr. Moises Carreon, University of Louisville

Dr. Sigrid Close, Stanford University

Dr. Raffaella De Vita, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Dr. Abigail Doyle, Princeton University

Dr. Daniel Goldman, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Joel Griffitts, Brigham Young University

Dr. Samantha Hansen, University of Alabama

Dr. Rouslan Krechetnikov, University of California at Santa Barbara

Dr. Tamara Moore, University of Minnesota

Dr. Daniela Oliveira, Bowdoin College

Dr. Jonathan Pillow, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Benjamin Recht, University of Wisconsin at Madison

Dr. David Savitt, University of Arizona

Dr. Noah Snavely, Cornell University

Dr. Junqiao Wu, University of California at Berkeley

Dr. Ahmet Yildiz, University of California at Berkeley

Smithsonian Institution

Dr. Rossman Irwin III, National Air and Space Museum

*Jeffrey Karpicke was nominated by both the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2013

Message to the Congress -- War Powers Resolution Regarding South Sudan

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE

December 22, 2013

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

In my report to the Congress of December 19, 2013, I provided information on the deployment of U.S. forces to support the security of U.S. personnel and our Embassy in South Sudan. I am providing this additional report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on U.S. military activities in South Sudan.

On December 21, 2013, approximately 46 additional U.S. military personnel deployed by military aircraft to the area of Bor, South Sudan, to conduct an operation to evacuate U.S. citizens and personnel. After the aircraft came under fire as they approached Bor, the operation was curtailed due to security considerations, and the aircraft and all military personnel onboard departed South Sudan without completing the evacuation.

The purpose of this operation was to protect U.S. citizens, personnel, and property. As I monitor the situation in South Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of U.S. citizens, personnel, and property, including our Embassy, in South Sudan.

This action has been directed consistent with my responsibility to protect U.S. citizens both at home and abroad, and in furtherance of U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.

I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2013

Statement by the President

Michelle and I send our condolences to the Eisenhower family on the passing of John S.D. Eisenhower. He grew up the son of an American hero, but emerged a great American in his own right - a brave soldier who served in World War II, the Korean War, and ultimately retired with the rank of Brigadier General, an accomplished writer and historian, a talented diplomat. His was a big and quintessentially American life - one of patriotism and character, learning and teaching, and a deep and abiding sense of service to his country. Our thoughts and prayers are with John's wife, Joanne, his son, David, his daughters Barbara Anne, Susan, and Mary, and his grandchildren - along with our gratitude for his extraordinary life.

West Wing Week 12/24/13 or, "West Wing Week: The Holiday Card"

Adam Garber

December 22, 2013
11:49 AM EDT

This week, we will be celebrating the season by taking you behind the scenes as the White House is transformed into a Yuletide masterpiece with the help of volunteers from across the country. We will also stop into a news conference the president held before he departed for the Hawaiian island of Oahu to have a "Mele Kalikimaka" with family and friends. That's December 20th to Christmas Eve, or "The Holiday Card Edition."

Readout of President Obama's Updates on South Sudan

Last night, upon landing in Hawaii, President Obama was updated on Air Force One on the status of the four American service members who were wounded attempting to evacuate American citizens in Bor, South Sudan. He directed his national security team to ensure the safety of our military personnel, and to continue to work with the United Nations to evacuate our citizens from Bor.

This morning, following a meeting of his national security principals that was led by National Security Advisor Susan Rice, President Obama participated in a secure call with Ambassador Rice, Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, and Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris to update him on the situation in South Sudan. The President was briefed on the status of our military personnel, and the safety of our citizens in Bor and U.S. personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Juba. The President was pleased that our service members are in stable condition, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to work with the United Nations to secure our citizens in Bor. He underscored that South Sudan's leaders have a responsibility to support our efforts to secure American personnel and citizens in Juba and Bor.

More broadly, the President underscored the urgency of helping to support efforts to resolve the differences within South Sudan through dialogue. South Sudan's leaders must know that continued violence will endanger the people of South Sudan and the hard-earned progress of independence. This conflict can only be resolved peacefully through negotiations. Any effort to seize power through the use of military force will result in the end of longstanding support from the United States and the international community.

President Obama expressed his deep appreciation for the work of our military and civilians who are operating in difficult circumstances in South Sudan and directed his team to continue to update him going forward.

Weekly Address: Working Together on Behalf of the American People

Megan Slack

December 21, 2013
06:00 AM EDT

In his weekly address, President Obama highlights the bipartisan budget agreement that unwinds some of the cuts that were damaging to the economy and keeps investments in areas that help us grow, and urges both parties to work together to extend emergency unemployment insurance and act on new measures to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

Weekly Address: Working Together on Behalf of the American People

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama highlighted the bipartisan budget agreement that unwinds some of the cuts that were damaging to the economy and keeps investments in areas that help us grow, and urged both parties to work together to extend emergency unemployment insurance and act on new measures to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, December 21, 2013.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
December 21^st, 2013

Hi, everybody. This week, Congress finished up some important work before heading home for the holidays.

For the first time in years, both parties came together in the spirit of compromise to pass a budget – one that helps chart our economic course for the next two years. This budget will unwind some of the damaging cuts that have threatened students and seniors and held back our businesses. It clears the path for critical investments in the things that grow our economy and strengthen our middle class, like education and research. And it will keep reducing our deficits – at a time when we’ve seen four years of the fastest deficit reduction since the end of World War II.

Members of Congress also voted to finally allow several dedicated and well-qualified public servants to do their jobs for the American people – many of whom waited months for a simple yes-or-no vote. These are judges, cabinet secretaries and military leaders. They’re men and women charged with growing our economy, keeping our homeland secure, and making sure our housing system and financial system work for ordinary Americans.

So after a year of showdowns and obstruction that only held back our economy, we’ve been able to break the logjam a bit over the last few weeks. It’s a hopeful sign that we can end the cycle of short-sighted, crisis-driven decision-making and actually work together to get things done.

And that’s important. Because there’s plenty of work to do.

Right now, because Congress failed to act before leaving on vacation, more than one million Americans are poised to lose a vital source of income just a few days after Christmas. For many people who are still looking for work, unemployment insurance is a lifeline that can make the difference between temporary hardship or lasting catastrophe. Instead of punishing these families who can least afford it – especially now – Congress should first restore that lifeline immediately, then put their entire focus on creating more good jobs that pay good wages.

That’s what I’ll be focused on next year, and every day I have the privilege of being your President. Growing the economy. Expanding opportunity. Building an America that offers everyone who works hard the chance to get ahead, and every child a fair shot at success.

And if Congress continues to act in the spirit of cooperation we’ve seen in recent weeks, I’m confident we can make much more progress together in the year to come.

Thank you. Have a great weekend and a very Merry Christmas.

Weekly Address: Working Together on Behalf of the American People

December 21, 2013 | 2:42 | Public Domain

Download mp4 (97MB) | mp3 (6MB)

President Obama Holds a Pre-Holiday Press Conference

Megan Slack

December 20, 2013
07:02 PM EDT

President Barack Obama holds a press conference in the James S. Press Briefing Room of the White House, Dec. 20, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

This afternoon, President Obama held his last press conference of the year from the White House briefing room. Before taking questions from the media, he discussed our economic progress over the last year, and laid out the work ahead for 2014.

In 2013, our businesses created another 2 million jobs, adding up to more than 8 million in just over the past 45 months. This morning, we learned that over the summer, our economy grew at its strongest pace in nearly two years. The unemployment rate has steadily fallen to its lowest point in five years. Our tax code is fairer, and our fiscal situation is firmer, with deficits that are now less than half of what they were when I took office. For the first time in nearly two decades, we now produce more oil here at home than we buy from the rest of the world, and our all-of-the-above strategy for new American energy means lower energy costs.

The Affordable Care Act has helped keep health care costs growing at their slowest rate in 50 years, and even as the Administration works diligently to address issues with HealthCare.gov, more than one million Americans have selected new health insurance plans through the federal and state marketplaces since October 1. "More than half a million Americans have enrolled through healthcare.gov in the first three weeks of December alone," President Obama said.

"And you add that all up and what it means is we head into next year with an economy that’s stronger than it was when we started the year," he said. "More Americans are finding work and experiencing the pride of a paycheck. Our businesses are positioned for new growth and new jobs."

"I firmly believe that 2014 can be a breakthrough year for America," President Obama said, offering some proof that the new year is already off to a good start: this week, for the first time in several years, both parties in both houses of Congress came together to pass a budget. And there are other areas where we can work together, he said, beginning with restoring the temporary unemployment insurance that helps people make ends meet when they are looking for a job.

"Because Congress didn’t act, more than one million of their constituents will lose a vital economic lifeline at Christmastime, leaving a lot of job-seekers without any source of income at all," he said. "I know a bipartisan group is working on a three-month extension of this insurance. They should pass it, and I’ll sign it right away."