Home • Fact Sheet: President Obama Signs Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- National Wilderness Month, 2012

NATIONAL WILDERNESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

For centuries, America's dramatic landscapes have attracted people from around the world to begin new lives and develop thriving communities on our lands. Today, our wilderness areas reflect an essential part of our national character, and as a people, we are immeasurably richer for their presence. Protected wilderness areas are recreational escapes for families, natural classrooms for students, living laboratories for scientists, irreplaceable retreats for sportsmen and women, and historical treasures for the American people. These landscapes provide clean air, clean water, and essential habitats for fish and wildlife, and they serve as critical storehouses of biodiversity. From mountains and meadows to river valleys and forests, our lands and waters also help drive local economies by creating jobs in tourism and recreation. Our open spaces are more precious today than ever before, and it is essential that we come together to protect them for the next generation.

American conservation practices inspired countries around the world during the 20th century, and my Administration is working to carry that legacy forward during the 21st. In my first months as President, I was proud to sign a public lands bill that designated more than 2 million acres of wilderness, over 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, and three National Parks. We also launched the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, which laid the foundation for a comprehensive, community driven conservation strategy that continues to engage Americans in protecting and increasing access to our natural heritage. Today, projects spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific are helping create and enhance parks, renew and restore our rivers, and conserve our iconic open spaces.

Generations of visionary leaders and communities have given of themselves to preserve our wild landscapes, fulfilling a responsibility that falls to us all as Americans and as inhabitants of this small planet. During National Wilderness Month, let us celebrate the progress we have made toward meeting that essential challenge, and let us recommit to protecting the land we love for centuries to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- National Preparedness Month, 2012

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As thousands of our fellow Americans respond to and recover from the damage done by Hurricane Isaac, we are called to remember that throughout our history, emergencies and natural disasters have tested the fabric of our country. During National Preparedness Month, we renew our commitment to promoting emergency preparedness in homes, businesses, and communities nationwide, and to building an America more ready and resilient than ever before.

Each of us has an important role to play in bolstering our preparedness for disasters of all types -- from cyber incidents and acts of terrorism to tornadoes and flooding. That is why my Administration is pursuing an approach to emergency management that engages the whole community -- from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to the private sector, nonprofits, faith based organizations, and the general public. I encourage all Americans to visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov to learn more about the risks facing their communities, find out what they can do to prepare, and join thousands of individuals from coast to coast by becoming a member of the National Preparedness Coalition. Individuals and families can also take action by building a disaster supply kit with food, water, and essential supplies in case of emergency, and by developing and sharing an emergency plan with their loved ones.

As cities and towns across our country recover from natural disasters that have spanned historic drought to devastating wildfires and storms, we are reminded of the spirit of resilience that binds us together as one people and as one American family. This month, let us honor that spirit by standing with all those affected by recent severe weather, as well as past disasters, and by taking the steps we can to protect our loved ones and our communities before disaster strikes.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and observe this month by working together to enhance our national security, resilience, and readiness.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2012

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Every day, millions of Americans with substance use disorders commit to managing their health by maintaining their recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. People in recovery are not strangers: they are our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we recognize their strength and resilience. In partnership with Americans in recovery, let us rededicate ourselves to combatting prejudice surrounding addiction, removing barriers to recovery, and standing with all those seeking lives free from substance use.

My Administration is committed to advancing evidence based recovery solutions. Over the past 3 years, we have worked to strengthen substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, and to support Americans in recovery. We have taken steps to identify and remove laws, policies, and practices that impede recovery. And as part of our 2012 National Drug Control Strategy, we are promoting early intervention and taking action to break the cycle of drug abuse and incarceration.

Drug and alcohol abuse continue to take a tragic toll on millions of lives across our country. Yet, while more remains to be done, men and women across our country are making great strides. This month, let us encourage their progress, celebrate the transformative power of recovery, and thank the many Americans who, often strengthened by their own experiences, are working to improve the health and safety of our communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- Labor Day, 2012

LABOR DAY, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Through times of prosperity and hardship alike, America counts on the strength and dynamism of the world's finest labor force. From the factory floor and the office to the classroom and the interstate, working men and women are the unshakable foundation of American innovation and economic growth. On Labor Day, we celebrate their vital role and reaffirm that America will always stand behind our workers.

The rights and benefits we enjoy today were not simply handed to working men and women; they had to be won. Brick by brick, America's labor unions helped raise the landmarks of middle-class security: the 40-hour workweek and weekends, paid leave and pensions, the minimum wage and health insurance, Social Security and Medicare. These are the victories that make our Nation's promise possible -- the idea that if we work hard and play by the rules, we can make a better life for ourselves and our families.

I am committed to preserving the collective bargaining rights that helped build the greatest middle class the world has ever known. It is the fundamental right of every American to have a voice on the job, and a chance to negotiate for fair pay, safe working conditions, and a secure retirement. When we uphold these basic principles, our middle class grows and everybody prospers.

Our Nation faces tough times, but I have never stopped betting on the American worker. This is the labor force that revolutionized the assembly line and built the arsenal of democracy that defeated fascism in World War II. These are the workers who built our homes, highways, and rail lines, who educate our children and care for the sick. American workers have taken us through the digital revolution and into a 21st century economy. As my Administration fights to create good jobs and restore the American dream, I am confident that, together, we will emerge from today's challenges as we always have -- stronger than ever before.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 3, 2012, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the contributions and resilience of working Americans.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Elizabeth K. Meyer – Member, Commission of Fine Arts
Robert L. Stein – Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy
Adrienne Arsht - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Colleen Bell – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
David C. Bohnett - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Giselle Fernandez – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Norma Lee Funger – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Caroline Kennedy - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Rebecca Pohlad - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Romesh Wadhwani - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Anthony Welters - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Elaine Wynn - General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

President Obama said, “These dedicated men and women bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Elizabeth K. Meyer, Appointee for Member, Commission of Fine Arts

Elizabeth K. Meyer is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia School of Architecture, where she has served as the Department Chair and Director of the Graduate Landscape Architecture Program. She previously taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Cornell University. Ms. Meyer is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. In 2011 and 2012, DesignIntelligence named Ms. Meyer one of the 25 Most Admired Educators. From 2011 to 2012, Ms. Meyer served on the jury for the National Mall Design Competition sponsored by the Trust for the National Mall, and in 2010, she was a member of the winning team of the City+Arch+River design competition for the St. Louis Gateway Arch Grounds. Ms. Meyer received a B.S.L.A. and M.L.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.A. from Cornell University.

Robert L. Stein, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy

Robert L. Stein is President of The Regency Group and a partner with Chartwell Capital. Mr. Stein serves as a member of the Defense Business Board, which advises the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on effective business practices for application to the Department. He also serves on the Board of the University of South Carolina Business School Foundation and the Board of Visitors of the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs. Additionally, he is a member of the Florida Council of 100, a nonprofit organization that promotes economic growth in Florida. Mr. Stein received a B.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Adrienne Arsht, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Adrienne Arsht is Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Founding Chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation. She also serves as Chairman Emerita of TotalBank, and previously served as Chairman of the Board of TotalBank of Miami from 1995 to 2007. Ms. Arsht is a member of the Board of Directors of numerous organizations, including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Opera, the University of Miami, the Atlantic Council, Amigos for Kids, and the Washington National Opera Council. Ms. Arsht is President of the Vice President’s Residence Foundation, and is a member of the Fine Arts Committee of the U.S. Department of State, the Blair House Restoration Fund, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Arsht received a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and a J.D. from Villanova Law School.

Colleen Bell, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Colleen Bell is the Associate Producer for Bell-Phillip Television Productions, Inc. She was appointed as a Member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Obama in March 2010, and was designated Chair in April 2011. Additionally, Ms. Bell is the Vice Chair of the Children’s Institute, Inc. and also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Los Angeles Music Center. She is a founding member of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Leadership Council and Global Leadership Council, and serves on the board of the UCLA Rape Treatment Center. In 2011, she received the Imagine Award for Philanthropic Leadership from Inner-City Arts. Ms. Bell received a B.A. from Sweet Briar College.

David C. Bohnett, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

David C. Bohnett is founder and Chairman of the David Bohnett Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding and support to groups that help build and improve communities. In 1994, Mr. Bohnett co-founded Geocities.com, an internet-based media and e-commerce company that was purchased by Yahoo! Inc. in 1999. Mr. Bohnett is currently Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and a Trustee of the Foundation for AIDS Research and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Mr. Bohnett received a B.S. from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Giselle Fernandez, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Giselle Fernandez is Managing Director of Creative World Talent Management. She was first appointed to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Obama in August 2011. Previously, Ms. Fernandez anchored NBC's weekend edition of the Today Show and the Sunday edition of the NBC Nightly News, as well as CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News, and CBS Weekend News. Ms. Fernandez earned five Emmy Awards for her coverage of international news stories and interviews with global leaders. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Centre for Dance Arts, City Year Los Angeles, and the National Council of La Raza. The California Legislative Hispanic Caucus awarded Ms. Fernandez the Latino Spirit Award in 2005, and in 2007, she received the Nancy Riordan Award. Ms. Fernandez holds a B.A. from Sacramento State University.

Norma Lee Funger, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Norma Lee Funger has been in the real estate business for more than 30 years. She was first appointed to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Obama in January 2011. Prior to joining the Kennedy Center, Ms. Funger had supported the arts in various roles, including as a member of the Board and Nominating Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra, the National and International Committees for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center, the Leadership Benefactors and Laureates Circle of the Kennedy Center, and as a member of the Smithsonian American Art Museum Commission. She is also a board member of the Washington Performing Arts Society, serving on the Society’s Impresarios and Nominating Committees. Ms. Funger also serves on the Foundation Board of the Children’s Hospital National Medical Center.

Caroline Kennedy, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Caroline Kennedy is an attorney and author. She is President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and is Chair of the Senior Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. From 2002 to 2011, Ms. Kennedy served as Vice Chair of the Fund for Public Schools, which supports public school reform. Ms. Kennedy is on the Board of Directors of New Visions for Public Schools and serves as Honorary Chair of the American Ballet Theater. She is the editor of nine New York Times best-selling books on topics including constitutional law, American history, politics, and poetry. Ms. Kennedy received a B.A. from Harvard University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Rebecca Pohlad, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Rebecca Pohlad is a philanthropist and a volunteer. She works with the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, which works to improve the quality of lives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Mrs. Pohlad serves on the Board of Directors for the Walker Art Museum, Peace Island Medical Center, the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer at Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation and the San Juan Community Foundation. She has previously served on the board of the Minnesota Orchestra. Mrs. Pohlad received an A.A. from Cottey College and a B.S. from Iowa State University.

Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Dr. Romesh Wadhwani is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of Symphony Technology Group. Previously, Dr. Wadhwani was the founder, Chairman, and CEO of several software and IT companies, including Aspect Development, Inc. He is the founder and Chairperson of the Wadhwani Foundation, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is actively involved in Kennedy Center initiatives, having served as Co-Chair of the Maximum India Festival in 2011 and as a supporter of the 2010 Honors Gala. Dr. Wadhwani received a B.A. from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Anthony Welters, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Anthony Welters is the Executive Vice President for UnitedHealth Group and a Member of the Office of the CEO. Previously, Mr. Welters was President of UnitedHealth Group’s Public and Senior Markets Group. Mr. Welters is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of New York University and is Chairman of the boards of the Morehouse School of Medicine and the New York University School of Law. He also serves as a Trustee of the New York University Langone Medical Center, a member of the board of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and a director of C.R. Bard, Inc. Mr. Welters serves on the Executive Committee of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, the Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and was recently elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Welters received a B.A. from Manhattanville College and a J.D. from New York University.

Elaine Wynn, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Elaine Wynn has served as Director of Wynn Resorts since 2000. In January 2011, she established the Elaine Wynn Studio for Arts Education at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Ms. Wynn was first appointed to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Obama in August 2010. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles County Art Museum and the Board of Governors of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons appointed Ms. Wynn as co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Education Reform Task Force in 2010, and she has served on the State of Nevada Council to Establish Academic Standards since 1997. She is the Founding Chairperson of Communities in Schools of Nevada and Chairman of the National Board of Communities in Schools. Ms. Wynn received a B.A. from George Washington University.

Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families

Megan Slack

August 31, 2012
12:40 PM EDT

Ed. note: Tune in to WhiteHouse.gov/live today at 3:00 pm EDT to watch President Obama speak to troops at Fort Bliss about our responsibility to stand by those who have served as we wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since September 11, 2001, more than two million service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, many of them serving with unprecedented duration and frequency. Long deployments and intense combat conditions require optimal support for the emotional and mental health needs of our service members and their families, and ensuring that they receive the support they deserve is a top priority for the Obama Administration.

That's why today, President Obama signed an Executive Order that will help the federal government better meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for our troops and veterans, as well as their families.

Building on the ongoing efforts to expand these services, today's Executive Order:

Strengthens suicide prevention efforts across the force and in the veteran community
Enhances access to mental health care by building partnerships between VA and community providers
Increases the number of VA mental health providers serving our veterans
Promotes mental health research and development of more effective treatment methodologies
Launches a government-wide collaborative effort to address these issues through a Military and Veterans Mental Health Interagency Task Force

Presidential Proclamation -- National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 2012

NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Every year, thousands of children across America are diagnosed with cancer an often life threatening illness that remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15. The causes of pediatric cancer are still largely unknown, and though new discoveries are resulting in new treatments, this heartbreaking disease continues to scar families and communities in ways that may never fully heal. This month, we remember the young lives taken too soon, stand with the families facing childhood cancer today, and rededicate ourselves to combating this terrible illness.

While much remains to be done, our Nation has come far in the fight to understand, treat, and control childhood cancer. Thanks to ongoing advances in research and treatment, the 5 year survival rate for all childhood cancers has climbed from less than 50 percent to 80 percent over the past several decades. Researchers around the world continue to pioneer new therapies and explore the root causes of the disease, driving progress that could reveal cures or improved outcomes for patients. But despite the gains we have made, help still does not come soon enough for many of our sons and daughters, and too many families suffer pain and devastating loss.

My Administration will continue to support families battling pediatric cancer and work to ease the burdens they face. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny health coverage to children because of pre existing conditions, including cancer, nor can they drop coverage because a child is diagnosed with cancer. The law also bans insurers from placing a lifetime dollar limit on the amount of coverage they provide, giving families peace of mind that their coverage will be there when they need it most. And as we work to ensure all Americans have access to affordable health care, my Administration will continue to invest in the cutting edge cancer research that paves the way for tomorrow's breakthroughs.

This month, we pay tribute to the families, friends, professionals, and communities who lend their strength to children fighting pediatric cancer. May their courage and commitment continue to move us toward new cures, healthier outcomes, and a brighter future for America's youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage all Americans to join me in reaffirming our commitment to fighting childhood cancer.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2012

NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

This year, thousands of American women will lose their lives to ovarian cancer. They are mothers and daughters, sisters and grandmothers, community members and cherished friends -- and the absence they leave in our hearts will be deeply felt forever. During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor those we have lost, show our support for women who bravely carry on the fight, and take action to lessen the tragic toll ovarian cancer takes on families across our Nation.

Sadly, women are all too often diagnosed with this disease when it has already reached an advanced stage. Because early detection is the best defense against ovarian cancer, it is essential that women know the risk factors associated with the disease. Women who are middle-aged or older, who have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, or who have had certain cancers in the past are at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Any woman who thinks she is at risk of ovarian cancer or who experiences symptoms, including abdominal pain, pressure, or swelling -- should talk with her health care provider. To learn more, visit www.Cancer.gov.

Ongoing progress in science and medicine is moving us forward in the battle against ovarian cancer, and my Administration remains committed to improving outcomes for women suffering from this devastating illness. Through agencies across the Federal Government, we are continuing to invest in research that paves the way for a new generation of tests and treatments. Through the Centers for Disease Control's Inside Knowledge campaign, we are working to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. The Affordable Care Act already bans insurance companies from dropping a woman's coverage because she has ovarian cancer, and from placing lifetime or restrictive annual dollar limits on her coverage. Beginning in 2014, the law will also prohibit insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums because a woman has ovarian cancer -- or any other pre-existing condition.

Ovarian cancer affects the lives of far too many women every year, and the tragedy it leaves in its wake reverberates in communities across our country. This month, we stand with all those who have known the pain of ovarian cancer, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of new and better ways to prevent, detect, and treat this devastating disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise ovarian cancer awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier lives. I also urge women across our country to talk to their health care providers and learn more about this disease.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2012

NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers for men living in the United States, and despite the progress we have made in controlling it, the disease continues to take a devastating toll on thousands of lives every year. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we remember those we have lost to prostate cancer, and we renew our commitment to preventing, detecting, and treating this terrible illness.

While the causes of prostate cancer are still unknown, men with certain risk factors may be more likely to develop the disease. Most men who suffer from prostate cancer are over the age of 65; those whose fathers, brothers, or sons have had prostate cancer are also at greater risk. Prostate cancer is especially prevalent among African American men, who experience both the highest incidence and the highest mortality rates of prostate cancer. I encourage all men to visit www.Cancer.gov to learn the warning signs of this disease.

My Administration will continue to stand with men and their families in the fight against prostate cancer. To ensure patients are covered when they need it most, the Affordable Care Act prevents insurers from placing lifetime or restrictive annual dollar limits on essential health benefits and from dropping coverage when people get sick. Beginning in 2014, the Act will also help Americans get the services they need by prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre existing conditions. And to advance the state of care for men with prostate cancer, my Administration will continue to support promising research that brings us closer to tomorrow's groundbreaking therapies, treatments, and prevention techniques.

Too many men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetimes. As we mark National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, let us support the families who fight alongside them, pay tribute to the professionals who pursue the highest standards of care, and rededicate ourselves to improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients across our country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in activities that will increase awareness and prevention of prostate cancer.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012

Fact Sheet: President Obama Signs Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama will sign an Executive Order directing key federal departments to expand suicide prevention strategies and take steps to meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.

Ensuring that all veterans, Active, Guard, and Reserve service members and their families receive the support they deserve is a top priority for the Obama Administration. Since September 11, 2001, more than two million service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan with unprecedented duration and frequency. Long deployments and intense combat conditions require optimal support for the emotional and mental health needs of our service members and their families. The Obama Administration has consistently expanded efforts to ensure our troops, veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned and deserve, including providing timely mental health service. The Executive Order signed today builds on these efforts.

President Obama’s Executive Order

The Executive Order signed by President Obama:

Strengthens suicide prevention efforts across the Force and in the veteran community:

The Executive Order directs the VA to increase the VA veteran crisis line capacity by 50% by the end of the year.
Under the Executive Order, VA will ensure that any veteran identifying him or herself as being in crisis connects with a mental health professional or trained mental health worker within 24 hours or less.
VA will work with the Department of Defense to develop and implement a national 12 month suicide prevention campaign focused on connecting veterans to mental health services.

Enhances access to mental health care by building partnerships between VA and community providers:

In service areas where VA has faced challenges in hiring and placing mental health service providers and continues to have unfilled vacancies or long wait times, the Executive Order Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish at least 15 pilot sites. In pilot sites, VA will contract with community health centers, community mental health clinics, community substance abuse treatment facilities and other HHS grantees and community resources to help reduce VA mental health waiting lists.
Under the Executive Order, HHS and VA will develop a plan for a rural mental health recruitment initiative to promote opportunities for VA and rural communities to share mental health providers when demand is insufficient for either to support a full-time provider.

Increases the number of VA mental health providers serving our veterans:

Under the Executive Order, VA will hire 800 peer-to-peer support counselors to empower veterans to support other veterans and help ensure that their mental health care and overall service needs are met.
VA has launched an effort to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals to serve veterans. The Executive Order directs VA to use its pay-setting authorities, loan repayment and scholarships, partnerships with health care workforce training programs, and collaborative arrangements with community-based providers to recruit, hire, and place 1,600 mental health professionals by June, 2013. Since, 2009, the VA has expanded its mental health programs, hiring more than 3,500 mental health professionals since 2009.

Promotes mental health research and development of more effective treatment methodologies:

The Executive Order directs the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to develop a National Research Action Plan that will include strategies to improve early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness for TBI and PTSD.
The Executive Order further directs the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive mental health study with an emphasis on PTSD, TBI, and related injuries to develop better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Launch a government-wide collaborative effort to address these issues through a Military and Veterans Mental Health Interagency Task Force:

The Executive Order establishes an Interagency Task Force, including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, the Domestic Policy Council, National Security Staff, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which will make recommendations to the President on additional strategies to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.

Supporting our Military, Veterans, and their Families

The President has taken key steps to protect and strengthen the health of our military, veterans and their families here at home. Many of these initiatives are supported by agencies across the federal government and collaborative partnerships with states and communities.

Health Care

For the first time ever, 135 medical schools have committed to exchanging leading research on PTSD and TBI and will also train future physicians to better understand veteran health needs. More than 150 state and national nursing organizations and over 650 nursing schools have committed to ensure our nation’s 3 million nurses are prepared to meet the unique health needs of veterans and their families by educating the current and future nurses of America to have a better understanding of PTSD and TBI.
President Obama signed the “caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010”, into law which helps our most seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and their family caregivers with a monthly stipend; access to health insurance; mental health services and counseling; and comprehensive VA caregiver training and respite care.
The Department of Labor has proposed new regulations for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to support military families and caregivers. This rule would implement statutory changes to the FMLA, expanding leave to family members caring for veterans who have suffered a serious injury or illness.
In July 2010, the VA published a historic change to its rules, streamlining the process and paperwork needed by combat veterans to pursue a claim for disability pay for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The VA expanded its workforce by over 2,600 people to handle applications for disability pay. The VA is also using technology and new approaches to help veterans get their benefits by accepting online applications for initial disability benefits, initiating an innovation competition, launching pilot initiatives, and investing over $128 million in a paperless Veterans Benefits Management System.
The administration is utilizing partnerships to reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment for behavioral health issues. Make the Connection, a campaign launched by the Department of Veterans Affairs, is creating ways for veterans and their family members to connect with the experiences of other veterans and access the information and resources to help these families confront the challenges of transitioning from service to daily civilian life.

Licensing and Credentials

Nearly 35 percent of military spouses in the labor force require licenses or certification for their profession. Many military spouses hold occupational licenses and routinely move across state lines, causing licensing requirements to disproportionately affect the military spouse population. The First Lady and Dr. Biden encouraged all 50 governors to pass legislation by 2014 to reduce the financial and administrative strains that 100,000 military spouses incur from trying to get their state licenses or certification credentials to transfer from state to state as they move. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden encouraged governors to take Action in February 2012 when only 11 states had legislation on the books. 26 states now have measures in place to support military spouses and the initiative is on-track to meet the 2014 goal.

Education

The Department of Defense has awarded $180 million in grants to support military-connected public school districts. These grants support improved academic programs for military children. More than 400,000 students from military families across all grade levels are impacted by these grant projects.
The Department of Defense has awarded approximately $25 million to military-connected Local Education Agencies (LEAs) this summer to focus on increasing student achievement and easing transitions through research-based academic and support programs.
The Department of Defense, in collaboration with the Council of State Governments' (CSG) National Center for Interstate Compacts developed the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (the Compact) to address the educational transition issues of children of military families. The Compact covers transition issues including class placement, records transfer, immunization requirements, course placement, graduation requirements, exit testing, and extra-curricular opportunities. States adopt the Compact through legislation, and as a result, join the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). To date, 39 states have approved the Compact and these states are home to 89 percent of school age children whose active duty parents are assigned to military installations in the United States. We will continue to work with leaders to encourage the 11 remaining states approve the Compact and become members of MIC3.
VA eased the Post-9/11 GI Bill application process within the eBenefits portal, including transferability to spouses or children for service members with over six years of service. Servicemembers can now apply on-line to transfer the benefits of their Post-9/11 GI Bill to eligible beneficiaries.

Housing

On top of the historic settlements completed by the Federal government and 49 state Attorneys General, major mortgage servicers will be providing relief to thousands of service member and veteran households. A review will be conducted of every service member household foreclosed upon since 2006. Those wrongly foreclosed upon will be compensated equal to a minimum of lost equity, plus interest and a refund for money lost because they were wrongfully denied the opportunity to reduce their mortgage payments. Additionally, these organizations will pay $10 million into a VA fund that guarantees loans on favorable terms for veterans.
The Administration is working to end veteran homelessness through leveraging broad support at Federal, State, and local levels in both the public and private sectors. Working with over 4,000 community agencies, the VA and HUD have successfully placed more than 37,000 veterans in permanent housing with dedicated case managers and access to high-quality VA health care since 2009. To ensure we reach out to our homeless veterans, the VA created a National Registry for Homeless Veterans and established a National Homeless Hotline. Veteran homelessness was reduced by nearly 12 percent between January 2010 and January 2011.
In 2011, VA helped save 72,391 Veteran and military borrowers with VA-guaranteed loans from foreclosure, a 10% increase from the prior year. VA has helped nearly 59,000 borrowers avoid foreclosure so far in 2012. The home loan guaranty program helps Veterans and their families purchase homes, often with no down payment required. The program expects to guaranty the 20 millionth loan in early November 2012.
Using their Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan, also known as the Streamline Refinance, VA refinances existing VA loans into new loans with lower interest rates, or adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) into fixed rate mortgages. In 2011, this program saved an average of $202 per month in individual payment reductions and 1.42% in interest rates. This equates to saving military and veterans $24 million a month and $293 million per year.

Financial Readiness

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Financial Education and Financial Access has helped military families identify predatory lending practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) established an office of service member affairs to ensure that the CFPB addresses the financial challenges that confront military families and strengthens protections against abusive financial practices.