The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 04, 2013

Remarks by the President to ACA Youth Summit

South Court Auditorium
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
 
 
2:10 P.M. EST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Hey!  (Applause.)  Hello, everybody.  Hello, hello.  Good to see you.  Everybody, sit down.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Welcome to the White House.  This is a little bit of a rowdy bunch.  (Laughter.)  
 
Well, it is wonderful to be with all of you, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of all the stuff that you guys are doing all across the country in your communities, in your organizations.  There was a time when I was a young invincible.  (Laughter.)  After five years in this office, people don’t call me that anymore.  (Laughter.)  
 
But I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for everything that you’ve done and will do to spread the word about the Affordable Care Act and what it means for young people.  About a year ago, I got a letter from a woman in her twenties; she had just graduated from law school.  And she wrote, “Thank you for making health care reform a priority.  If you hadn’t, you probably would have fewer gray hairs right now.”  (Laughter.)  That’s a good point.  But her story is a reminder that the law was worth a few gray hairs, because she was one of the 3.1 million young people that this law helped to cover because they could join their parents’ plan.  And that means that when she was diagnosed with a potentially deadly autoimmune disorder, she got the care she needed -- medications, blood transfusions, ultimately lifesaving surgery.
 
She was able to stay in school, graduate first in her class, find a job in her field.  And in the letter she wrote, “I’m grateful because the Affordable Care Act saved my life.  It saved my family from bankruptcy, and it gave me a future.”  So that’s what this law is about:  health care that’s there for you when you need it; financial protection for you and your family if you get sick; the security of knowing that an illness or an accident is not going to completely derail your dreams.
 
And there are a lot of benefits that are especially important to young people.  Insurance companies now have to provide free preventive care that will help you stay healthy.  They’ll have to provide contraceptive care for women at no extra cost.  If you wanted to take a chance and start your own business, or try multiple careers like many young people do, particularly in this economy, before you settle down you’re not going to have to wonder whether or not you can do that because you’re worried about coverage.  When you do settle down and start a family, maternal care will be covered.  If you’re a woman, you won’t be charged twice as much as men because you’re the one carrying the baby.
 
So this law is already making a difference for millions of young people, and it’s about to help millions more.  About half a million people across the country already are poised to gain coverage on January 1st, some for the very first time.  One recent article reported that a surprisingly large number of young people are signing up.  And there's a good reason for that:  The law works.  Most young people without insurance can now get covered for under 100 bucks a month.  
 
Now, I am not allowed, for security reasons, to have an iPhone.  (Laughter.)  I don’t know what your bills are.  I have noticed that Sasha and Malia seem to spend a lot of time on it.  (Laughter.)  My suspicion is that for a lot of you, between your cable bill, your phone bill, you're spending more than 100 bucks a month.  The idea that you wouldn’t want to make sure that you've got the health security and financial security that comes with health insurance for less than that price, you guys are smarter than that.  And most young people are, as well.  
 
The product is good.  It's affordable.  People want financial stability of health insurance.  We're going to keep working through any glitches, problems that may come up.  Obviously, the website when it was first launched, wasn't in tip-top shape, to say the least.  But we have been, 24/7, going at it.  And now, for the vast majority of users, it's working.  And there will be other things that come up during the course of the next several months, because you're starting off a new program that has an impact on one-sixth of the economy.  This is a "big deal," to quote Joe Biden.  (Laughter.)  
 
But we're just going to keep on working on it, and improving it, and refining it.  And if we see a problem, we're going to fix it.  But we're not repealing it -- not as long as I'm President -- (applause) -- particularly because the folks who are criticizing it don’t seem to have any ideas in terms of how to reduce costs; ensure millions of people get coverage for the first time; make sure that insurance is more secure.  And those are things that the law is already doing.  
 
And we're going to have to just make sure that people know about it.  And that’s why I'm here, because I need your help; that’s why you're here, because you know I need your help.  Believe it or not, there are actually organizations that are out there working to convince young people not to get insurance.  
 
Now, think about that.  That’s a really bizarre way to spend your money -- to try to convince people not to get health insurance, not to get free preventive care, not to make sure that they're able to survive an accident or an illness.  If I had that much money I wouldn’t be spending it that way.  And some of these ad campaigns are backed by well-funded special-interest groups -- I assume they've got great health care.  
 
And just remember and remind your friends and your peers -- imagine what happens if you get sick, what happens with the massive bills.  The people who are running those ads, they're not going to pay for your illness.  You're going to pay for it or your family is going to pay for it.  And that's hard to imagine.  
 
Look, I do remember what it's like being 27 or 28, and aside from the occasional basketball injury, most of the time I kind of felt like I had nothing to worry about.  Of course, that's what most people think until they have something to worry about.  But at that point, oftentimes it's too late.  And sometimes in this debate, what we've heard are people saying, well, I don't need this, I don't want this; why are you impinging on my freedom to do whatever I want.  
 
And part of what I say to folks when they tell me that is if you get sick and you get to the hospital, and you don't have any coverage, then somebody else is also going to be paying for it.  It may be your family that can afford it, or it may be everybody else who does have health insurance and is acting responsibly, and is essentially subsidizing for your care.  And that's not what I think most young people want.  They want to be independent, and this is part of feeling and being financially, and from a health perspective, secure. 
 
So I'm going to need you all to spread the word about how the Affordable Care Act really works, what its benefits are, what its protections are and, most importantly, how people can sign up.  I know people call this law Obamacare.  And that's okay -- (laughter) -- because I do care.  (Laughter and applause.)  I do.  I care about you.  I care about families.  I care about Americans.  (Applause.) 
 
But no matter how much I care, the truth is, is that for your friends and your family, the most important source of information is not going to be me, it's going to be you.  They are going to trust you.  If you're taking them on a website, walking them through it saying, look at the price you're able to get, look at the benefits you're able to get.  That's what's going to be making a difference.  
 
So if you're a student body president, set up a conference on campus.  If you work at a nonprofit, open your doors and use your email list to help people learn the facts.  If you've got a radio show, spread the word on air.  If you're a bartender, have a happy hour -- (laughter) -- and also probably get health insurance, because a lot of bartenders don't have it.  Post something on your Facebook or Instagram.  You can tweet using the hashtag #getcovered.  But do whatever it takes to make sure people have the information they need to make the decision that's right for them. 
 
If you're in a state that has its own state exchange, they're probably doing a lot of activities and you should plug into those as well.  If you're in a state that so far has not decided to set up a state exchange, then obviously we can make sure that you have all the information you need to succeed.  But the bottom line is I'm going to need you, and the country needs you.  And a lot of your friends and peers, they may not know that they need you, but if something happens somewhere down the road where they really need to get to a hospital or a doctor, the fact that you have talked to them and gotten them involved is going to make all the difference in the world.
 
And finally, let me just make a broader point to all the young people here.  This whole exercise obviously has huge implications for this country’s future, because if we can start bringing down health care costs, make sure people are covered, give people financial security, that’s good for the economy, it’s good for businesses, it’s good for the federal budget.  
 
But I hope you haven’t been discouraged by how hard it’s been, because stuff that’s worth it is always hard.  The Civil Rights Movement was hard.  Getting women the right to vote -- that was hard.  Making sure that workers had the right to organize -- that was hard.  It’s never been easy for us to change how we do business in this country and particularly to address needs that a lot of people aren’t worried about on a day-to-day constant basis but then suddenly are desperately worried about it when a mishap happens.
 
So this has been the case for Social Security, for Medicare, for all the great social progress that we’ve made in this country.  And I wanted to say all that just because my hope is not only that you work hard to help folks get signed up today and tomorrow and next week, but I look around the room and I see a lot of leaders who are going to be leading the charge well into the future on a whole range of issues.  Don’t get discouraged.  Be persistent.  You may get a few gray hairs as a consequence -- (laughter) -- but I think at the end of the day you’ll think it’s worth it.
 
Thank you, guys.  (Applause.)
 
END
 
2:23 P.M. EST
 

President Obama Speaks on the Affordable Care Act

December 03, 2013 | 13:02 | Public Domain

President Obama says now that HealthCare.gov is working for the vast majority of users, we must refocus on what’s truly at stake, which is ensuring Americans have the security of decent health insurance at a reasonable cost.

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Remarks by the President on the Affordable Care Act

South Court Auditorium
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

2:45 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thanks to Monica, thanks to everybody standing behind me, and thanks for everybody out there who cares deeply about this issue.  Monica’s story is important because for all the day-to-day fights here in Washington around the Affordable Care Act, it’s stories like hers that should remind us why we took on this reform in the first place.

And for too long, few things left working families more vulnerable to the anxieties and insecurities of today’s economy than a broken health care system.  So we took up the fight because we believe that, in America, nobody should have to worry about going broke just because somebody in their family or they get sick.  We believe that nobody should have to choose between putting food on their kids’ table or taking them to see a doctor.  We believe we’re a better country than a country where we allow, every day, 14,000 Americans to lose their health coverage; or where every year, tens of thousands of Americans died because they didn’t have health care; or where out-of-pocket costs drove millions of citizens into poverty in the wealthiest nation on Earth.  We thought we were better than that, and that’s why we took this on.  (Applause.)

And that’s what’s gotten lost a little bit over the last couple of months.  And our focus, rightly, had to shift towards working 24/7 to fix the website, healthcare.gov, for the new marketplaces where people can buy affordable insurance plans.  And today, the website is working well for the vast majority of users.  More problems may pop up, as they always do when you’re launching something new.  And when they do, we’ll fix those, too.  But what we also know is that after just the first month, despite all the problems in the rollout, about half a million people across the country are poised to gain health care coverage through marketplaces and Medicaid beginning on January 1st -- some for the very first time.  We know that -- half a million people.  (Applause.)  And that number is increasing every day and it is going to keep growing and growing and growing, because we know that there are 41 million people out there without health insurance.  And we know there are a whole bunch of folks out there who are underinsured or don’t have a good deal.  And we know the demand is there and we know that the product on these marketplaces is good and it provides choice and competition for people that allow them, in some cases for the very first time, to have the security that health insurance can provide. 

The bottom line is this law is working and will work into the future.  People want the financial stability of health insurance.  And we’re going to keep on working to fix whatever problems come up in any startup, any launch of a project this big that has an impact on one-sixth of our economy, whatever comes up we’re going to just fix it because we know that the ultimate goal, the ultimate aim, is to make sure that people have basic security and the foundation for the good health that they need.

Now, we may never satisfy the law’s opponents.  I think that’s fair to say.  Some of them are rooting for this law to fail -- that’s not my opinion, by the way, they say it pretty explicitly.  (Laughter.)  Some have already convinced themselves that the law has failed, regardless of the evidence.  But I would advise them to check with the people who are here today and the people that they represent all across the country whose lives have been changed for the better by the Affordable Care Act.

The other day I got a letter from Julia Walsh in California.  Earlier this year, Julia was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma.  “I have a lot of things to worry about,” she wrote.  “But thanks to the [Affordable Care Act], there are lots of things I do not have to worry about, like…whether there will be a lifetime cap on benefits, [or] whether my treatment will bankrupt my family…I can’t begin to tell you how much that peace of mind means...”  That’s what the Affordable Care Act means to Julia.  She already had insurance, by the way, but because this law banned lifetime limits on the care you or your family can receive, she’s never going to have to choose between providing for her kids or getting herself well -- she can do both. 

Sam Weir, a doctor in North Carolina, emailed me the other day.  “The coming years will be challenging for all of us in family medicine,” he wrote.  “But my colleagues and I draw strength from knowing that beginning with the new year the preventive care many of our current patients have been putting off will be covered and the patients we have not yet seen will finally be able to get the care that they have long needed.”  That’s the difference that the Affordable Care Act will make for many of Dr. Weir’s patients.  Because more than 100 million Americans with insurance have gained access to recommended preventive care like mammograms, or colonoscopies, or flu shots, or contraception to help them stay healthy -- at no out-of-pocket cost.  (Applause.)

At the young age of 23, Justine Ula is battling cancer for the second time.  And the other day, her mom, Joann, emailed me from Cleveland University Hospital where Justine is undergoing treatment.  She told me she stopped by the pharmacy to pick up Justine’s medicine.  If Justine were uninsured, it would have cost her $4,500.  But she is insured -- because the Affordable Care Act has let her and three million other young people like Monica gain coverage by staying on their parents’ plan until they’re 26.  (Applause.)  And that means Justine’s mom, all she had to cover was the $25 co-pay. 

Because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 7 million seniors and Americans with disabilities have saved an average of $1,200 on their prescription medicine.  (Applause.)  This year alone, 8.5 million families have actually gotten an average of $100 back from their insurance company -- you don’t hear that very often -- (laughter) -- because it spent too much on things like overhead, and not enough on their care.  And, by the way, health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years.  So we’re actually bending the cost of health care overall, which benefits everybody.  (Applause.)

So that’s what this law means to millions of Americans.  And my main message today is:  We’re not going back.  We’re not going to betray Monica, or Julia, or Sam, or Justine, or Joann.  (Applause.)  I mean, that seems to be the only alternative that Obamacare’s critics have is, well, let’s just go back to the status quo -- because they sure haven’t presented an alternative.  If you ask many of the opponents of this law what exactly they’d do differently, their answer seems to be, well, let’s go back to the way things used to be.

Just the other day, the Republican Leader in the Senate was asked what benefits people without health care might see from this law.  And he refused to answer, even though there are dozens in this room and tens of thousands in his own state who are already on track to benefit from it.  He just repeated “repeal” over and over and over again.  And obviously we’ve heard that from a lot of folks on that side of the aisle.

Look, I’ve always said I will work with anybody to implement and improve this law effectively.  If you’ve got good ideas, bring them to me.  Let’s go.  But we’re not repealing it as long as I’m President and I want everybody to be clear about that.  (Applause.) 

We will make it work for all Americans.  If you don’t like this law -- (applause) -- so, if despite all the millions of people who are benefitting from it, you still think this law is a bad idea then you’ve got to tell us specifically what you’d do differently to cut costs, cover more people, make insurance more secure.  You can’t just say that the system was working with 41 million people without health insurance.  You can’t just say that the system is working when you’ve got a whole bunch of folks who thought they had decent insurance and then when they got sick, it turned out it wasn’t there for them or they were left with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs that were impossible for them to pay.

Right now, what that law is doing -- (baby talks.)  Yes, you agree with me.  (Laughter.)  Right now, what this law is doing is helping folks and we’re just getting started with the exchanges, just getting started with the marketplaces.  So we’re not going to walk away from it.  If I’ve got to fight another three years to make sure this law works, then that’s what I’ll do.  That’s what we’ll do.  (Applause.)

But what’s important for everybody to remember is not only that the law has already helped millions of people but that there are millions more who stand to be helped.  And we’ve got to make sure they know that.  And I’ve said very clearly that our poor execution in the first couple months on the website clouded the fact that there are a whole bunch of people who stand to benefit.  Now that the website is working for the vast majority of people, we need to make sure that folks refocus on what’s at stake here, which is the capacity for you or your families to be able to have the security of decent health insurance at a reasonable cost through choice and competition on this marketplace and tax credits that you may be eligible for that can save you hundreds of dollars in premium costs every month, potentially.

So we just need people to -- now that we are getting the technology fixed -- we need you to go back, take a look at what’s actually going on, because it can make a difference in your lives and the lives of your families.  And maybe it won’t make a difference right now if you’re feeling healthy, but I promise you, if somebody in your family -- heaven forbid -- gets sick, you’ll see the difference.  And it will make all the difference for you and your families.

So I’m going to need some help in spreading the word -- I’m going to need some help in spreading the word.  I need you to spread the word about the law, about its benefits, about its protections, about how folks can sign up.  Tell your friends.  Tell your family.  Do not let the initial problems with the website discourage you because it’s working better now and it’s just going to keep on working better over time.  Every day I check to make sure that it’s working better.  (Laughter.)  And we’ve learned not to make wild promises about how perfectly smooth it’s going to be at all time, but if you really want health insurance through the marketplaces, you’re going to be able to get on and find the information that you need for your families at healthcare.gov.

So if you’ve already got health insurance or you’ve already taken advantage of the Affordable Care Act, you’ve got to tell your friends, you’ve got to tell your family.  Tell your coworkers.  Tell your neighbors.  Let’s help our fellow Americans get covered.  Let’s give every American a fighting chance in today’s economy.

Thank you so much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

END
2:59 P.M. EST

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President Obama's Bilateral Meeting with President Santos of Colombia

December 03, 2013 | 12:10 | Public Domain

President Obama and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia speak to the press following bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. The two leaders discussed cooperation on promoting citizen security, respect for human rights, and economic prosperity for all Colombians., as well as the expansion of our economic ties, anchored by the growing trade relationship shared through the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

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Remarks by President Obama and President Santos of Colombia After Bilateral Meeting

Oval Office

12:13 P.M. EST

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it’s wonderful to welcome President Santos back to the White House.  This is not his first visit, but it is the first time that I’m able to return the favor for the extraordinary hospitality that he and the Colombian people and his family showed me when I had a chance to travel there for the very successful Summit of the Americas.

We have had an excellent conversation I think reflecting on the deepening of what have already been very strong bilateral ties between our two countries.  Not only do we continue to excel in security cooperation that has I think helped to facilitate the tremendous progress that’s taken place in Colombia over the last decade, but precisely because of the success on the security front, we’ve also been able to widen our discussion to a whole host of issues:  how we can improve education and economic opportunity in Colombia; how we can work together on energy projects that are vital to the region; how we can take advantage of new technologies to expand the ability for a rural child to be exposed to the world; and how we can work in partnership together on many of the key regional challenges that take place.

We also had an opportunity to talk about the success so far of the Free Trade Agreement and its implementation.  There’s still some details that are being worked on.  Nevertheless, what we’ve seen is a 20 percent increase in trade between our two countries since its signing.  And that creates jobs in Colombia, it creates jobs here in the United States of America.

I congratulated President Santos on his bold and brave efforts to bring about a lasting and just peace inside of Colombia in his negotiations with the FARC.  Obviously, this has been a longstanding conflict within Colombia.  It is not easy; there are many challenges ahead.  But the fact that he has taken this step I think is right, because it sends a signal to the people of Colombia that it is possible to unleash the enormous potential if we can move beyond this conflict.  But obviously, there are going to be some very challenging questions moving forward.  I’m pleased to see the President’s strong commitment on that front.  The United States is supportive of those efforts.

And finally, I think what we’ve increasingly seen is Colombia’s influence on the world stage.  We supported Colombia’s membership in the OECD because it’s reflective of Colombia’s rights.  It continues to have a strong influence regionally.  I emphasized to President Santos that the work and the efforts that he’s made on issues like human rights and labor rights inside of Colombia are not only good for the Colombian people and we want to encourage them, but they also show a path for countries that have had in some cases a difficult history moving forward into a 21st century that promises greater opportunity and prosperity and peace.

And the influence that President Santos personally as well as Colombia as a nation has is only growing.  And we think that’s a positive because we consider Colombia a great friend and a great success. 

Finally, I think it’s worth mentioning that both Colombia and the United States have qualified for the World Cup.  Obviously, we wish both teams well.  I think it’s fair to say that we will be rooting for our teams, so we don’t know if they’ll play each other, but I think it’s a great sign of the excellent sportsmen that we have in our countries and that the World Cup I think signifies also the bonds that all people have.  So we’re very excited to see how that event goes in Brazil, and we congratulate Brazil on hosting the World Cup.

So, Mr. President, welcome.  And thank you again for your great hospitality and, more importantly, thank you for your friendship and your leadership.

PRESIDENT SANTOS:  (As interpreted.)  Thank you so much, President Obama for your welcome, and thank you again for this invitation.  As you well said, this is not the first time that I’ve been in the White House, and this time my visit comes under very special circumstances. 

The relations of our two countries find themselves at their best moment ever.  And as a result, the agenda that we have discussed this morning is much broader than it’s ever been.  We have gone well beyond the usual items that we used to discuss, like security, like drug trafficking, and we are now expanding it to topics like education, energy, and mutual cooperation -- what we can do regionally. 

And I want to thank you especially, President Obama, for all the support that you have shown us in the process towards peace in Colombia.  It’s a process that is doing very well, and it is my hope that this is a conflict that will come to an end.  We have been shedding blood for over 50 years, and the support of the United States and the entire world is decisive in reaching that peace we all want.

And I was telling President Obama that just as 50 years ago President Kennedy visited Colombia and launched the Alliance for Progress, we should think of something similar that we could do today:  Work together to launch a new alliance -- an alliance for progress and peace, one that will help the entire region.

Circumstances are very different today, opportunities are different, and the technology we have at our disposal is very different, and therefore, there are many fronts in which we can work together.  There are many synergies that we can generate as a result that will lead to positive results.

And we also talked about the cooperation that we have been carrying out together to benefit third countries, in particular countries of Central America and the Caribbean.  We will be tripling the joint operations we’re going to be carrying out jointly.  For example, just one case, we have 17,000 officers who have been trained in Colombia, officers who come from these countries.  And this is the kind of thing we will continue doing together.

And finally, I also want to wish the United States all success in the World Cup.  It is my hope, however, that our teams are not going to be playing each other very soon.  I certainly hope they won’t meet in the first round.  But we can maybe eliminate the U.S. team later on.  (Laughter.) 

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  All right, we’ll have to make a wager on that.  (Laughter.)  We’ll see if the actual game comes up. 

Thank you so much everybody.

END
12:25 P.M. EST

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

Remarks by the President on the Affordable Care Act

South Court Auditorium
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

2:45 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thanks to Monica, thanks to everybody standing behind me, and thanks for everybody out there who cares deeply about this issue.  Monica’s story is important because for all the day-to-day fights here in Washington around the Affordable Care Act, it’s stories like hers that should remind us why we took on this reform in the first place.

And for too long, few things left working families more vulnerable to the anxieties and insecurities of today’s economy than a broken health care system.  So we took up the fight because we believe that, in America, nobody should have to worry about going broke just because somebody in their family or they get sick.  We believe that nobody should have to choose between putting food on their kids’ table or taking them to see a doctor.  We believe we’re a better country than a country where we allow, every day, 14,000 Americans to lose their health coverage; or where every year, tens of thousands of Americans died because they didn’t have health care; or where out-of-pocket costs drove millions of citizens into poverty in the wealthiest nation on Earth.  We thought we were better than that, and that’s why we took this on.  (Applause.)

And that’s what’s gotten lost a little bit over the last couple of months.  And our focus, rightly, had to shift towards working 24/7 to fix the website, healthcare.gov, for the new marketplaces where people can buy affordable insurance plans.  And today, the website is working well for the vast majority of users.  More problems may pop up, as they always do when you’re launching something new.  And when they do, we’ll fix those, too.  But what we also know is that after just the first month, despite all the problems in the rollout, about half a million people across the country are poised to gain health care coverage through marketplaces and Medicaid beginning on January 1st -- some for the very first time.  We know that -- half a million people.  (Applause.)  And that number is increasing every day and it is going to keep growing and growing and growing, because we know that there are 41 million people out there without health insurance.  And we know there are a whole bunch of folks out there who are underinsured or don’t have a good deal.  And we know the demand is there and we know that the product on these marketplaces is good and it provides choice and competition for people that allow them, in some cases for the very first time, to have the security that health insurance can provide. 

The bottom line is this law is working and will work into the future.  People want the financial stability of health insurance.  And we’re going to keep on working to fix whatever problems come up in any startup, any launch of a project this big that has an impact on one-sixth of our economy, whatever comes up we’re going to just fix it because we know that the ultimate goal, the ultimate aim, is to make sure that people have basic security and the foundation for the good health that they need.

Now, we may never satisfy the law’s opponents.  I think that’s fair to say.  Some of them are rooting for this law to fail -- that’s not my opinion, by the way, they say it pretty explicitly.  (Laughter.)  Some have already convinced themselves that the law has failed, regardless of the evidence.  But I would advise them to check with the people who are here today and the people that they represent all across the country whose lives have been changed for the better by the Affordable Care Act.

The other day I got a letter from Julia Walsh in California.  Earlier this year, Julia was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma.  “I have a lot of things to worry about,” she wrote.  “But thanks to the [Affordable Care Act], there are lots of things I do not have to worry about, like…whether there will be a lifetime cap on benefits, [or] whether my treatment will bankrupt my family…I can’t begin to tell you how much that peace of mind means...”  That’s what the Affordable Care Act means to Julia.  She already had insurance, by the way, but because this law banned lifetime limits on the care you or your family can receive, she’s never going to have to choose between providing for her kids or getting herself well -- she can do both. 

Sam Weir, a doctor in North Carolina, emailed me the other day.  “The coming years will be challenging for all of us in family medicine,” he wrote.  “But my colleagues and I draw strength from knowing that beginning with the new year the preventive care many of our current patients have been putting off will be covered and the patients we have not yet seen will finally be able to get the care that they have long needed.”  That’s the difference that the Affordable Care Act will make for many of Dr. Weir’s patients.  Because more than 100 million Americans with insurance have gained access to recommended preventive care like mammograms, or colonoscopies, or flu shots, or contraception to help them stay healthy -- at no out-of-pocket cost.  (Applause.)

At the young age of 23, Justine Ula is battling cancer for the second time.  And the other day, her mom, Joann, emailed me from Cleveland University Hospital where Justine is undergoing treatment.  She told me she stopped by the pharmacy to pick up Justine’s medicine.  If Justine were uninsured, it would have cost her $4,500.  But she is insured -- because the Affordable Care Act has let her and three million other young people like Monica gain coverage by staying on their parents’ plan until they’re 26.  (Applause.)  And that means Justine’s mom, all she had to cover was the $25 co-pay. 

Because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 7 million seniors and Americans with disabilities have saved an average of $1,200 on their prescription medicine.  (Applause.)  This year alone, 8.5 million families have actually gotten an average of $100 back from their insurance company -- you don’t hear that very often -- (laughter) -- because it spent too much on things like overhead, and not enough on their care.  And, by the way, health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years.  So we’re actually bending the cost of health care overall, which benefits everybody.  (Applause.)

So that’s what this law means to millions of Americans.  And my main message today is:  We’re not going back.  We’re not going to betray Monica, or Julia, or Sam, or Justine, or Joann.  (Applause.)  I mean, that seems to be the only alternative that Obamacare’s critics have is, well, let’s just go back to the status quo -- because they sure haven’t presented an alternative.  If you ask many of the opponents of this law what exactly they’d do differently, their answer seems to be, well, let’s go back to the way things used to be.

Just the other day, the Republican Leader in the Senate was asked what benefits people without health care might see from this law.  And he refused to answer, even though there are dozens in this room and tens of thousands in his own state who are already on track to benefit from it.  He just repeated “repeal” over and over and over again.  And obviously we’ve heard that from a lot of folks on that side of the aisle.

Look, I’ve always said I will work with anybody to implement and improve this law effectively.  If you’ve got good ideas, bring them to me.  Let’s go.  But we’re not repealing it as long as I’m President and I want everybody to be clear about that.  (Applause.) 

We will make it work for all Americans.  If you don’t like this law -- (applause) -- so, if despite all the millions of people who are benefitting from it, you still think this law is a bad idea then you’ve got to tell us specifically what you’d do differently to cut costs, cover more people, make insurance more secure.  You can’t just say that the system was working with 41 million people without health insurance.  You can’t just say that the system is working when you’ve got a whole bunch of folks who thought they had decent insurance and then when they got sick, it turned out it wasn’t there for them or they were left with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs that were impossible for them to pay.

Right now, what that law is doing -- (baby talks.)  Yes, you agree with me.  (Laughter.)  Right now, what this law is doing is helping folks and we’re just getting started with the exchanges, just getting started with the marketplaces.  So we’re not going to walk away from it.  If I’ve got to fight another three years to make sure this law works, then that’s what I’ll do.  That’s what we’ll do.  (Applause.)

But what’s important for everybody to remember is not only that the law has already helped millions of people but that there are millions more who stand to be helped.  And we’ve got to make sure they know that.  And I’ve said very clearly that our poor execution in the first couple months on the website clouded the fact that there are a whole bunch of people who stand to benefit.  Now that the website is working for the vast majority of people, we need to make sure that folks refocus on what’s at stake here, which is the capacity for you or your families to be able to have the security of decent health insurance at a reasonable cost through choice and competition on this marketplace and tax credits that you may be eligible for that can save you hundreds of dollars in premium costs every month, potentially.

So we just need people to -- now that we are getting the technology fixed -- we need you to go back, take a look at what’s actually going on, because it can make a difference in your lives and the lives of your families.  And maybe it won’t make a difference right now if you’re feeling healthy, but I promise you, if somebody in your family -- heaven forbid -- gets sick, you’ll see the difference.  And it will make all the difference for you and your families.

So I’m going to need some help in spreading the word -- I’m going to need some help in spreading the word.  I need you to spread the word about the law, about its benefits, about its protections, about how folks can sign up.  Tell your friends.  Tell your family.  Do not let the initial problems with the website discourage you because it’s working better now and it’s just going to keep on working better over time.  Every day I check to make sure that it’s working better.  (Laughter.)  And we’ve learned not to make wild promises about how perfectly smooth it’s going to be at all time, but if you really want health insurance through the marketplaces, you’re going to be able to get on and find the information that you need for your families at healthcare.gov.

So if you’ve already got health insurance or you’ve already taken advantage of the Affordable Care Act, you’ve got to tell your friends, you’ve got to tell your family.  Tell your coworkers.  Tell your neighbors.  Let’s help our fellow Americans get covered.  Let’s give every American a fighting chance in today’s economy.

Thank you so much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

END
2:59 P.M. EST

President Obama Meets with President Santos of Colombia

Katherine Vargas
Katherine Vargas
December 03, 2013
04:47 PM EDT
President Barack Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia

President Barack Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia in the Oval Office, Dec. 3, 201 (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama hosted President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia at the White House. Their visit underscored the growing partnership with Colombia, founded on our shared democratic values, deepening economic ties, and our long history of shared security goals.

Colombia is a respected leader in the region. We are expanding our partnership far beyond security into new areas of mutual interest like commerce, energy access, regional infrastructure and economic integration. Thanks to the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement – a win-win for both countries - U.S. exports to Colombia are up nearly 20 percent, supporting thousands of American jobs and helping to achieve President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. exports.

Colombia is an example of the profound transformations underway in Latin America. Elections that once were exceptions are now largely the norm. Some of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Latin America and across the region. Tens of millions of people have escaped poverty and entered the middle class. This represents an incredible opportunity for a new era of relations between the United States and the Americas.

Katherine Vargas is Director of Hispanic Media
Related Topics: Global Economy, Economy, Foreign Policy

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

Statement by the President on Nancy Sutley’s Departure in February

I want to thank Nancy Sutley for her counsel, and for her service to the American people over the past five years.  As one of my top advisors, Nancy has played a central role in overseeing many of our biggest environmental accomplishments, including establishing historic new fuel economy standards that will save consumers money, new national monuments that permanently protect sites unique to our country’s rich history and natural heritage, our first comprehensive National Ocean Policy, and our Climate Action Plan that will help leave our children a safer, healthier planet.  Under her leadership, Federal agencies are meeting the goals I set for them at the beginning of the administration by using less energy, reducing pollution, and saving taxpayer dollars.  Her efforts have made it clear that a healthy environment and a strong economy aren’t mutually exclusive – they can go hand in hand.  I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

Presidential Determination -- Jerusalem Embassy

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Suspension of Limitations under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 7(a) of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-45)(the "Act"), I hereby determine that it is necessary, in order to protect the national security interests of the United States, to suspend for a period of 6 months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act.

You are authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the Congress, accompanied by a report in accordance with section 7(a) of the Act, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

This suspension shall take effect after the transmission of this determination and report to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

FACT SHEET: The President’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative

Today, via video message broadcast to 150 youth and dignitaries gathered in Manila, Philippines, President Obama announced the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).  Recognizing that over 65 percent of the region’s population is under the age of 35, YSEALI seeks to augment leadership development and networking in ASEAN; deepen engagement with young leaders across critical sectors; and strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and young leaders across the region.  This new initiative will expand and institutionalize extensive diplomatic and programmatic engagement throughout Southeast Asia aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders. 

Youth Leadership Development

The U.S. Government has made significant investments in nurturing a regional network and strengthening leadership skills among ASEAN youth.  For example, at the LEAD ASEAN Youth Summit in Manila, 150 youth delegates are working together to forge solutions to transnational challenges such as climate change, youth unemployment, and trafficking in persons.  The summit will culminate in a proposal contest, with the winning teams receiving grants to implement community projects. 

Since 2009, the Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program has brought teenagers from all ten ASEAN member countries to the United States.  The program promotes civic responsibility and community service with hands-on training that develops the participants’ leadership skills.  In addition, Ambassador Youth Councils across Southeast Asia provide a channel for young people to interact with top U.S. officials and get involved in matters of global impact. 

Higher Education

The United States supports academic exchanges with Southeast Asian youth because education unlocks youth’s potential to drive economic and social advances.  Each year, more than 700 Fulbright scholarships are awarded to American and Southeast Asian students and scholars for study, research, or teaching.  This fall, the State Department launched the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Initiative, which supports the exchange of scholars from the United States and ASEAN focused on regional priorities, such as food security and public health.  

In response to the Government of Indonesia’s desire to invest in its next generation of leaders, the United States is launching a new scholarship program that will provide career paths for youth to transition to productive members and leaders in Indonesian society.  This $29 million effort will offer over 160 scholarships for Government of Indonesia officials and university faculty in specialty areas such as biodiversity, climate change, and basic and higher education.  

Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship

The United States is partnering with Southeast Asian youth to use science, technology, and entrepreneurship to build regional prosperity and find innovative solutions to pressing regional concerns.  For example, this fall, Malaysia hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which President Obama announced in his 2009 Cairo address.  This year’s summit brought together over 4,000 entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and government officials from Southeast Asia and around the world.  It kicked off with Global Startup Youth, a pre-summit that brought together 500 young people from over 100 countries to develop pitches for new ventures.  The United States also supports Mekong Technology Innovation Generation and Entrepreneurship Resources (TIGERS@Mekong), a public-private partnership that helps young innovators and entrepreneurs connect with venture capitalists and bring their business ideas to market. 

English Language

In partnership with governments in the region, the United States is supporting the expansion of English language skills to facilitate better communication between the United States and ASEAN nations.  The $25 million Brunei-U.S. English Language Enrichment Project for ASEAN will benefit thousands of Southeast Asian youth by improving local English language teachers English teaching skills.  Each year, the English Access Microscholarship Program provides foundational English language skills to nearly 3,000 bright, economically disadvantaged 13- to 20-year-olds in Southeast Asia through two years of after-school classes and intensive summer learning activities. 

Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship

The United States encourages youth to give back to their local communities, ensuring thriving civil societies in their home countries.  In August, the United States and Malaysia launched the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program, which encourages young volunteers to serve in the region, while enhancing cross-cultural ties and understanding among ASEAN youth.  Marking the program’s eighth year, the 2014 ASEAN International Visitor Leadership Program will bring emerging leaders from each of the ten ASEAN countries to the United States to examine regional economic cooperation in Southeast Asia, particularly focusing on how to cultivate an ASEAN-based identity in a changing world market.  In support of the U.S.-Burma Partnership for Democracy, Peace and Prosperity, the United States is working with universities and the private sector to create a Higher Education Partnerships program, which will advance democratic rights, transparent governance, inclusive economic growth, food security, and the health and livelihoods of the people of Burma.  The United States is also supporting youth in southern Philippines by investing $11 million over five years in Mindanao Youth for Development, which provides quality workforce development and life skills that integrate problem solving, leadership, peace education, and entrepreneurship.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

Remarks by President Obama and President Santos of Colombia After Bilateral Meeting

Oval Office

12:13 P.M. EST

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it’s wonderful to welcome President Santos back to the White House.  This is not his first visit, but it is the first time that I’m able to return the favor for the extraordinary hospitality that he and the Colombian people and his family showed me when I had a chance to travel there for the very successful Summit of the Americas.

We have had an excellent conversation I think reflecting on the deepening of what have already been very strong bilateral ties between our two countries.  Not only do we continue to excel in security cooperation that has I think helped to facilitate the tremendous progress that’s taken place in Colombia over the last decade, but precisely because of the success on the security front, we’ve also been able to widen our discussion to a whole host of issues:  how we can improve education and economic opportunity in Colombia; how we can work together on energy projects that are vital to the region; how we can take advantage of new technologies to expand the ability for a rural child to be exposed to the world; and how we can work in partnership together on many of the key regional challenges that take place.

We also had an opportunity to talk about the success so far of the Free Trade Agreement and its implementation.  There’s still some details that are being worked on.  Nevertheless, what we’ve seen is a 20 percent increase in trade between our two countries since its signing.  And that creates jobs in Colombia, it creates jobs here in the United States of America.

I congratulated President Santos on his bold and brave efforts to bring about a lasting and just peace inside of Colombia in his negotiations with the FARC.  Obviously, this has been a longstanding conflict within Colombia.  It is not easy; there are many challenges ahead.  But the fact that he has taken this step I think is right, because it sends a signal to the people of Colombia that it is possible to unleash the enormous potential if we can move beyond this conflict.  But obviously, there are going to be some very challenging questions moving forward.  I’m pleased to see the President’s strong commitment on that front.  The United States is supportive of those efforts.

And finally, I think what we’ve increasingly seen is Colombia’s influence on the world stage.  We supported Colombia’s membership in the OECD because it’s reflective of Colombia’s rights.  It continues to have a strong influence regionally.  I emphasized to President Santos that the work and the efforts that he’s made on issues like human rights and labor rights inside of Colombia are not only good for the Colombian people and we want to encourage them, but they also show a path for countries that have had in some cases a difficult history moving forward into a 21st century that promises greater opportunity and prosperity and peace.

And the influence that President Santos personally as well as Colombia as a nation has is only growing.  And we think that’s a positive because we consider Colombia a great friend and a great success. 

Finally, I think it’s worth mentioning that both Colombia and the United States have qualified for the World Cup.  Obviously, we wish both teams well.  I think it’s fair to say that we will be rooting for our teams, so we don’t know if they’ll play each other, but I think it’s a great sign of the excellent sportsmen that we have in our countries and that the World Cup I think signifies also the bonds that all people have.  So we’re very excited to see how that event goes in Brazil, and we congratulate Brazil on hosting the World Cup.

So, Mr. President, welcome.  And thank you again for your great hospitality and, more importantly, thank you for your friendship and your leadership.

PRESIDENT SANTOS:  (As interpreted.)  Thank you so much, President Obama for your welcome, and thank you again for this invitation.  As you well said, this is not the first time that I’ve been in the White House, and this time my visit comes under very special circumstances. 

The relations of our two countries find themselves at their best moment ever.  And as a result, the agenda that we have discussed this morning is much broader than it’s ever been.  We have gone well beyond the usual items that we used to discuss, like security, like drug trafficking, and we are now expanding it to topics like education, energy, and mutual cooperation -- what we can do regionally. 

And I want to thank you especially, President Obama, for all the support that you have shown us in the process towards peace in Colombia.  It’s a process that is doing very well, and it is my hope that this is a conflict that will come to an end.  We have been shedding blood for over 50 years, and the support of the United States and the entire world is decisive in reaching that peace we all want.

And I was telling President Obama that just as 50 years ago President Kennedy visited Colombia and launched the Alliance for Progress, we should think of something similar that we could do today:  Work together to launch a new alliance -- an alliance for progress and peace, one that will help the entire region.

Circumstances are very different today, opportunities are different, and the technology we have at our disposal is very different, and therefore, there are many fronts in which we can work together.  There are many synergies that we can generate as a result that will lead to positive results.

And we also talked about the cooperation that we have been carrying out together to benefit third countries, in particular countries of Central America and the Caribbean.  We will be tripling the joint operations we’re going to be carrying out jointly.  For example, just one case, we have 17,000 officers who have been trained in Colombia, officers who come from these countries.  And this is the kind of thing we will continue doing together.

And finally, I also want to wish the United States all success in the World Cup.  It is my hope, however, that our teams are not going to be playing each other very soon.  I certainly hope they won’t meet in the first round.  But we can maybe eliminate the U.S. team later on.  (Laughter.) 

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  All right, we’ll have to make a wager on that.  (Laughter.)  We’ll see if the actual game comes up. 

Thank you so much everybody.

END
12:25 P.M. EST

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2013

FACT SHEET: The United States and Colombia – Strategic Partners

Today President Barack Obama hosted Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at the White House.  Their visit underscored the close ties between the United States and Colombia, founded upon shared democratic values, deepening economic ties, and a long history of shared security goals.  The visit highlighted our cooperation in the following areas:

Economic and Social Opportunities

  • Free Trade Agreement:  The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement continues to benefit both nations.  U.S. exports to Colombia increased by nearly 19 percent in the first year, while Colombia diversified its export base with more than 1,300 companies exporting goods to the United States for the first time.  Both countries’ businesses and economies are benefitting from eliminated or lowered tariffs and increased trade opportunities, and both are committed to ensuring all aspects of the agreement are fully observed in order to maximize opportunities for growth.  

  • Labor Action Plan: The United States and Colombia continue to work on implementation of the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights, which was announced in April 2011 before the trade agreement entered into force to address labor concerns.  The United States and Colombia decided to hold formal meetings through at least 2014 on Action Plan commitments, and recognize advances under the Action Plan and areas where challenges remain.  

  • Strengthening Colombia’s Energy Market:  In early 2014, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency intends to host a commercial workshop in Bogotá, Colombia, aimed at creating state-of-the-art electricity transmission and distribution projects in Colombia, as well as a visit to cities in the United States, to help upgrade Colombia’s wholesale electricity market into the most efficient and advanced in Latin America.  Through the Department of State’s Unconventional Gas Technical Engagement Program (UGTEP), Colombian and U.S. officials are working to help create the basis for environmentally sustainable unconventional gas development in Colombia.  On December 2, the Department of Energy also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and to promote regional leadership on energy and climate change. 

  • Expanding Opportunity for Vulnerable Populations, including Afro-Colombians:  In June 2013, the United States and Colombia held a session of the U.S.-Colombia Action Plan on Racial and Ethnic Equality (CAPREE), hosting government and civil society representatives from both nations to collaborate on long-standing challenges faced by indigenous and afro-descendent communities in Colombia and the United States.  The resulting work plan, the first under CAPREE, aims to expand educational, cultural, and economic opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.  One CAPREE program hopes to engage 1,415 Afro-Colombian youth leaders, at-risk youth, coaches, and teachers to promote sports for social change and to prevent youth violence. 

Peace, Security, and Rule of Law

The United States reaffirmed its longstanding defense and security partnership with Colombia, and strongly supports Colombia’s unwavering commitment to seeking a durable peace, including through the peace talks now underway, in order to permit Colombians the greater peace, security, and prosperity they deserve.

  • Land restitution:  The United States continues its collaboration with Colombia to assist its people, particularly in the areas of rural development and land restitution, key concerns at the heart of the Colombia’s ongoing conflict.  USAID announced $68 million in support of Colombian efforts to: 1) restore land to victims of conflict; 2) issue land titles; and 3) generate opportunities for viable rural livelihoods for small farmers.  In addition, USAID will help expand the coverage of legal protection of land rights, especially those of small farmers, by strengthening the Colombian government’s land titling efforts.  

  • Building Rule of Law and Assisting Victims:   The United States and Colombia continue to partner on strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights in Colombia, including in the criminal justice system.  Over the past five years, the United States has provided nearly $100 million dollars of rule of law assistance to the Colombian Attorney General’s Office focused on human rights, victim assistance programs, and the investigation and prosecution of criminal organizations.  

  • Humanitarian Demining:  In cooperation with the Organization of American States, the United States provided more than $4 million in FY 2013 to support demining in Colombia, to both clear mines that threaten communities and to help victims.  With this support, non-governmental organization HALO cleared its first mine in September 2013. 

  • Secure Movement of Goods and People:  The United States and Colombia share an interest in preventing transnational illicit networks from conducting, planning, and supporting operations aimed at harming our populations, including through the exploitation of financial systems, international trade, and transportation systems.  In August 2013, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) broadened security cooperation with the Colombian Ministry of Finance and Public Credit through the Joint Statement to Establish a Cargo Targeting Center and the Joint Statement on Global Supply Chain Security.  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is also facilitating, via a technical assistance grant, the Colombian National Tax and Customs Directorate’s acquisition and implementation of non-intrusive inspection systems.   

Regional and Global Partnership and Integration

  • Global Economic Integration:   In 2013, the United States supported the invitation to Colombia to begin accession proceedings with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  Colombia’s future OECD membership will strengthen its economic growth, creating opportunities for Colombian and American businesses and workers.  To further expand economic opportunity, Colombia joined Mexico, Peru, and Chile as part of the Pacific Alliance, a regional organization intended to harmonize trade policies and expand commerce.  The United States was welcomed as an observer on July 19, and Secretary of State Kerry discussed next steps with his Pacific Alliance counterparts in New York in September.  

  • Partners in Regional Security Cooperation:  Colombia has evolved into a regional exporter of security expertise, sharing its knowledge to help develop the capacity of other countries to improve citizen security and confront the effects of transnational organized crime, including illicit drug trafficking.  Through the U.S.-Colombia Action Plan on Regional Security Cooperation, the United States and Colombia have formalized support to selected third countries.  In 2013, this security assistance included 39 capacity-building activities in four Central American countries focused on areas such as asset forfeiture, investigations, polygraphs, and interdiction.  The United States and Colombia announced the Action Plan for 2014, which aims to increase assistance through 152 capacity-building activities in six countries in Central America and the Caribbean.  

  • Expanding Energy Access and Security:   Colombia and the United States continue to engage bilaterally and regionally on Connect 2022, a hemispheric initiative the two countries launched in Cartagena in 2012 to achieve universal access to electricity through enhanced electrical interconnections, power sector investment, renewable energy development, and cooperation.  

Environment, Science, and Innovation

  • Conserving the Environment and Livelihoods: Both the United States and Colombia emphasize and support conservation efforts that preserve valuable ecosystems.  In 2013, USAID made a new $10 million commitment to conserve biodiversity and reduce deforestation in the Colombian Amazon.  Under the Initiative for Conservation of the Andean Amazon (ICAA), the United States is partnering with Colombia to slow the expansion of the agricultural frontier, while creating corridors for critical biodiversity.  In addition, with support from USAID, the U.S. National Park Service and Colombia’s Parques Nacionales aim to expand their long history of collaboration, to include cooperation on climate change adaptation, concessions development and management, environmental education and interpretation, and the development of “Sister Parks.”  Renewable energy is also expected to be deployed in several Colombian parks by the USAID Clean Energy Program. 

  • Protecting Marine Species and Ocean Ecosystems:  The United States and Colombia share similar responsibilities and challenges in conserving and sustainably managing marine species and ocean ecosystems in Pacific and Caribbean coasts and waters.  The United States recognizes Colombia's leadership in marine conservation, most recently demonstrated by efforts to protect marine species at risk due to international trade under the auspices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration collaborates closely with Colombia's Ministry of Environment, National Authority of Aquaculture and Fisheries, and local non-governmental organizations to promote healthy and productive marine environments.  

  • Cleaner, Responsible Mining:  Colombia is working to address the destructive effects on the environment of illegal mining operations.  To support Colombia’s efforts, in 2013 USAID launched a three-year $6.5 million program to formalize artisanal gold mining operations, improve working conditions, and reduce mercury and other contamination, and plans to expand work in the mining sector by at least $10 million in 2014.  In 2013, the Department of Labor announced a separate four-year, $9 million project in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor to combat child labor and promote a safe work environment in the mining sector.  In addition, the Department of the Interior is working with Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy to design a tool that will measure and monitor mining activities in Colombia and the broader Andean Amazon.   

  • Smart Technology:  Colombia is undertaking an ambitious infrastructure development and modernization effort.   Colombia will assess options for intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies as a means of reducing congestion and improving the effectiveness of its control and management of highway and other transport systems through a U.S. Trade and Development Agency grant with the Ministry of Transport.   

Education

  • 100,000 Strong: In March 2011, President Obama launched “100,000 Strong in the Americas,” an initiative to increase international study in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Colombia is a priority country for the initiative, and the United States is providing $1 million in economic support funds and has leveraged $2.6 million in private sector funds to build the capacity of universities  to boost exchanges.  More than 6,500 university students from Colombia are currently studying in the United States. 

  • Sports Diplomacy and Leadership: The United States and Colombia are deeply committed to furthering educational opportunities for at-risk youth, through sports exchange programs such as in baseball, track and field, and basketball.  With support from the U.S. Embassy, Mónica González - a former professional soccer player and ESPN analyst - established soccer academies in Santa Marta, Quibdó, Medellín, and Bogotá to teach leadership and sporting skills to girls from vulnerable areas. 

  • Bilingual Colombia:   Colombia is working to strengthen its international competitiveness through stronger bilingual education.  The Department of State is partnering with Colombia’s Ministry of Education to implement a two-year program to train up to 500 public school instructors on English instruction.  In September, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy, DIRECTV launched a distance learning education program, “Inglés en las Aulas” (English in the classrooms). 

  • MLK Fellows program:  The MLK Fellows Program, established in 2005, provides English language and leadership training to outstanding Afro-Colombian university students.  The U.S. Embassy has supported 230 MLK fellows to date, with another 120 talented Afro-Colombian university students starting in 2014. 

  • Fulbright Scholars:  The United States has helped fund scholarships for more than 750 Colombian scholars during the last ten years, including more than 100 in 2013.