White House Highlights Benefits Of Health Care Law In Advance Of Anniversary

WASHINGTON -- Wednesday marks a full year since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, and the White House is looking to play up the law's tangible benefits amid an ongoing raft of legal challenges and divided public opinion on its effects.

A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that Americans remain divided on the health care overhaul, as millions still struggle to obtain insurance coverage. Some may have a long wait, as many key planks of the law won't take effect until 2014.

Wisely, the White House chose to highlight the anniversary Tuesday by focusing on one of the law's most popular provisions, the so-called "Young Invincibles" program that currently allows young people to remain on their parents' health care plans until age 26.

The White House website is featuring an interview with Erick Moberg, a senior at Michigan State University who is taking advantage of that measure. Moberg said in the White House interview that he plans to take a year off after graduation to prepare his medical school application.

During the interview, Moberg received a surprise phone call from Obama, who tells him, "obviously we're proud of your aspirations."

In a plug for the law, Obama added: "The fact that you're able to stay on your parents' health insurance up to the age of 26 obviously makes a huge difference."

Groups that supported the health care overhaul are holding celebratory events all over the country this week, touting the benefits of the law.

By contrast, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which lobbied heavily against the law, is marking its anniversary with ads decrying it as a "bad prescription." The Chamber also hosted a conference call with small business owners who are worried that the law's coverage mandates will force them to raise costs and hamper them from hiring new employees.

WATCH the interview with Moberg:

Comments

[Michael Ludin]

07:21 PM on 03/24/2011

And now the country has Haley creep. Please stay a good 'ol boy from the south ---

[JEngdahlJ]

02:11 PM on 03/24/2011

How will expanding dependent coverage affect health plans? More at http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=2795

[Philclock]

11:50 AM on 03/24/2011

This is for ANY "progressive" or Democrat, same thing:

I'm for repealing the health care monstrosity passed, but maybe I'm not looking at the bill correctly.

Could ANYONE step to the fore, and refute point-by-point Grover Nordquist's objections to the law:

http://www.newsmax.com/GroverNorquist/Norquist-Obamacare-taxes-increase/2011/03/24/id/390607

I'd really appreciate hearing from those with whom I disagree, I want health care reform, too, but reform that empowers me as the patient, allowing me MORE choices from the health care market, and allowing me to buy what I want; and to me that means freeing up insurance companies to write policies I want, not what the state regulators dictate to them; and for health care providers to listen to me and other patients; rather than being forced to provide prices and procedures government medicare and over-regulated insurance companies want.

I look forward to any response, thank you.

[PukkaDemocrat]

12:30 PM on 03/23/2011

Happy first anniversary, ACA! It's surviving and thriving despite the haters on the right and the left. I even bought a cake today to celebrate!

The individual mandate is going to happen whether you progressiv­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­e­­­s and teabaggers like it or not. Sure, the individual mandate isn't perfect, but perfect is the enemy of the good. Some people will still get subsidies to buy private health insurance. Half a pie is better than no pie. THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH VOTES IN CONGRESS FOR ANYTHING BETTER!

Besides, the public option would have hurt families. And I love my family too much for that.

You progressiv­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­e­­­s have to realize that you are a tiny minority in this country. The sooner you realize it and completely support the democratic party, the better for all of us. President Obama is the best you're ever going to get. Better start being grateful to them for his hard work.

Obama is playing a very delicate game of chess with the Republican­­­­­­­­­s. All the progressiv­­­­­­­­­e dissent is very disturbing to Obama and his real supporters­­­­­­­­­. But it IS music to the Republican­­­­­­­­­s' ears! SO STOP COMPLAINING!

And cheer up -- soon, ALL 50 million + of the irresponsi­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­b­­­l­­­e fools out there without health insurance who are clogging up our ERs will be forced to buy health insurance. And if they don't, they'll pay a fine. I hope all the stubborn, selfish holdouts lose their homes.

[SWEETSPOT]

12:46 PM on 03/23/2011

You call the very people this law is "supposed to help" "irresponsible fools"? The healthcare plan is the worst thing that can happen to us!! What about all the people who are responsible? Why is my coverage going to increase 40% in one shake? But this is a good law? Not only will my premium go up, but so will my taxes, because of all those "irresponsible fools"?

[You Are My Density]

12:56 PM on 03/23/2011

It's not the health care law that's making premiums go up. The insurance companies are just trying to get as much money as they can before the law goes into effect and they have to spend 80% of what they take in on actual health care. Those rates would have gone way up anyway as they had been for years, so why aren't you blaming the insurance companies? They have been the main problem in all this with their outrageously paid CEOs and executives, their shareholders demanding dividends, all paid for out of our premiums, not the government or our elected representatives who are trying to make things better for us. Of course, that hasn't stopped the corporate shills in the Republican party from perpetrating every lie in the book about this bill. Too bad you haven't read it or you might understand more about what it means for so many people.

And btw, I believe Pukka was being facetious when he called them irresponsible fools.

[wdw808]

01:10 PM on 03/23/2011

and then the doctor's offices for many with be pack full with the indigent........good plan

laughing

[wdw808]

01:08 PM on 03/23/2011

it is time to split companies into smaller companies so as to divide the company into skilled and non skilled workers and each company's payroll should try to say below 500k total payroll and never above 750k.......to pay highly compensate­d EMPs use dividends to distribute pay better outside the limits of the HC law....the­n company 1 can contract with company 2 and so on to shift money around with invoicing without sales tax as it would be exempt when it is selling a component to contribute to a final sale

now healthcare is not required by this law........nor will anyone argue as they still have a job.......when unemployment is better a decade or so from now maybe phase something back in

this also can stop any unionizing too......good luck with enforcing this law when it is so easy to work around as a company

[KeepLivin49]

12:24 PM on 03/23/2011

The truth to the matter is that nearly all the people who say that this law takes away their sense of freedom are liars.They have health care and this law does not affect them at all in a negative way. They just hate the president. In all honesty how many people with jobs and health care is this law going to affect? You are either paying with your employer or paying for yourself or on Medicare.

[You Are My Density]

01:02 PM on 03/23/2011

Exactly. "Obama is taking away our freedom" is one of those fright-wing talking points that has been adopted as a mantra by so many in the brainwashed masses. I have posted many requests on HuffPo over the past couple of years for people to give me even ONE example of a freedom they have personally lost since Obama became president. All I hear are crickets. F&F

BTW, I'm on Medicare Advantage with Kaiser myself, and I have to say, it has made a huge difference in what I can afford otherwise not to have to pay the $750 I was paying every month to Kaiser before that. I have $550 more a month to play with. This gets spent on various things including paying down debt, restaurant meals, things for the house, charity donations, and being able to go places and afford the gas. People don't understand how having cheaper health care for everyone would be SUCH a boost for our economy! I don't know why they keep griping about this bill. Of course, we should have Medicare for all, or Medicare Advantage. It would make a huge difference in the general welfare of our people.

[wdw808]

01:23 PM on 03/23/2011

so you actually believe your premium pays all your costs or does the tax payer cover some for you

wow

[Actraiser]

04:37 PM on 03/23/2011

"People don't understand how having cheaper health care for everyone would be SUCH a boost for our economy! I don't know why they keep griping about this bill."

How does the bill provide cheaper health care for everyone? Where are the antitrust provisions to prevent collusion between the big health insurance companies?

[newhampshireconservative]

12:23 PM on 03/23/2011

I would have hung up on him too, why listen to the Liar in Chief, what a joke...health care reform must be repealed ASAP, and if not, the Supreme Court will rule 5-4 against ObummerCare, though look at Rep Small Weiner, trying to get the Great Clarence Thomas off the court, what a lame, desperate attempt by the libs/progressives, but very typical, very predictable!!

[KeepLivin49]

12:37 PM on 03/23/2011

Do you have insurance? How does the law affect you in a negative way?

[SWEETSPOT]

12:50 PM on 03/23/2011

this is how the law will affect people with insurance now! And most of us will be considered to have cadilac plans!! Get in the know!!

http://www­.kaiserhea­lthnews.or­g/Stories/­2010/March­/18/Cadill­ac-Tax-Exp­lainer-Upd­ate.aspx

[You Are My Density]

01:07 PM on 03/23/2011

What have Republicans done for you lately besides take our taxpayer money and do nothing of any benefit for anyone? But they care very much about the fetus. Women, not so much. Since Republicans have taken office, that's pretty much all they care about, making it harder for women to have abortions, which are, after all, supposed to be legal. Of course, once the kid is breathing, they couldn't care less. They're on their own. If they have a mother, fine. If not, oh well.

The Republican party has been bought and paid for by corporations and this country will turn into a shadow of its former self if they are allowed to do their dirty work and take their wrecking ball to it. And you think this is a good thing? Once the job is complete, it'll look like Japan after their tsunami, and you might find yourself rethinking your position. By then, it'll be too late.

[You Are My Density]

08:24 PM on 03/23/2011

Wow, 7 hours since I posted this, and there's still no answer to my question. Can anyone tell me what Republicans have done for them? I'm interested.

[newhampshireconservative]

12:17 PM on 03/23/2011

ObummerCare, other wise known as Health Care Deform, is a disaster, everyone knows this will lead to the much wanted single payer system sought by all the HuffingtonPost Readers and bloggers, This deform is an Assault on America, and the GOP in the Words of the Huffington Post needs to mount an assault to save America and the Best health care in the world!! see candad and this story as i am sure it was not posted on thehuffingtonpost, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/13/baby-joseph-gets-second-chance-life/

[You Are My Density]

01:08 PM on 03/23/2011

Faux Noise? LOL Yeah right, they're SO accurate, fair, and balanced. Puleeze.

[KeepLivin49]

02:59 PM on 03/23/2011

Are you really trying to make a point with a fox news reference? LAUGHABLE!

[TROOPER-X]

11:42 AM on 03/23/2011

There's always time to peddle the propaganda, yet he couldn't find the time to honor his own offer where the entire bill would be read line by line.
If this bill had smooth sailing ahead, the need for spin would not exist.
This is a good sign.

[You Are My Density]

01:09 PM on 03/23/2011

What are you talking about? If you want to read the bill, it's online. I know people who have read the whole thing and have no objections to it. It's only right-wing ideologues and people who haven't read the bill who object to it.

[LegendOfTheBrave]

11:22 AM on 03/23/2011

I hope the poor kid had on his waders. I probably would have just hung up, but I commend him for his manners.

[You Are My Density]

01:12 PM on 03/23/2011

How rude you are then. Since when did rudeness become an American characteristic people are proud of? I'm proud of him. He showed proper respect for the choice of the American people. Too bad people are so prejudiced, all they see is a black man, and they just can't stand it no matter how good and kind he is.

[CountryBeforeParty]

10:52 AM on 03/23/2011

After one year there have been exactly zero death panels as a result of HCR.

How many has Jan Brewer caused in Arizona with her "reforms"?

[You Are My Density]

01:13 PM on 03/23/2011

Two, so far. I'm sure she won't be happy until they're all dead. Then she won't have to worry about depriving them of their medical care.

[ls1z28chris]

09:48 AM on 03/23/2011

"Hello, Christopher. This is President Obama."

*click*

[You Are My Density]

01:13 PM on 03/23/2011

Ah, another rude one. What is this country coming to?

[lemmyk73]

09:27 AM on 03/23/2011

So Obama starts another illegal war but continues to try and sell his disastrous health care law? UGh. this guy is beyond a joke now. Iraq and Afghanistan still rage, Japan is in crisis...... Obama makes NCAA picks.


Folks- are you all just about finished with this failed PResident?

[newtom]

09:35 AM on 03/23/2011

Come back in six years.

[LegendOfTheBrave]

11:28 AM on 03/23/2011

Why? Obama will have been back in Chicago for several years at this point.

[Beatriz09]

09:49 AM on 03/23/2011

1. What's illegal about the Executive deciding to participate in a military UN peace-keeping operation (and without sending any ground troops nor needing a new Defense budget)?
 
2. What's disastrous about this HC law?
 
Iraq: violence is at an all time low, EVEN after Obama withdrew 2/3 of US troops and knowing that he's perfectly on schedule to withdraw the last third.
 
Afghanistan: Obama's strategy is fully implemented since August 2010 only, so it's way too soon to already be able to evaluate it. What is certain is that the mess the country was in when Bush left the Oval Office is such that the problem won't be solved any time soon.
 
 
You have to know that the word 'illegal' has a very specific meaning: it means 'contrary to an existing law', not just 'a war I don't support'.
 
When for instance UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called the Iraq war "illegal", what he means is that waging that war, against the will of the UN, the Arab League and the entire international community is NOT allowed, according to international law (and he explained in detail what law he was refering to and why it contradicted that law).

[lemmyk73]

10:06 AM on 03/23/2011

1. no congressional authorization. Or do we just hold Bush to that?

2. The cost and the fact that it enriches ins companies on the backs of the middle class.

[sonhenjz]

12:43 PM on 03/23/2011

Beatriz09,
You are speaking from a factual point of view, but the comments above respond in a typical uneducated Fox-Confused manner. It's as if facts don't matter to them at all. When I see their written comments, it's very easy to identify where their information comes from. Heaven forbid they actually do some research on their own, or talk to someone they know who has personally benefited from the HC law. Then there's the big misconception about Obama starting a war like Bush did, which comes straight from the talking points of shows on the previously mentioned cable channel. Never mind that the U.S. is involved with a peace-keeping mission which was started and being led by our U.N. allies. A sitting President does not need the Congress' permission to engage in a peace-keeping mission with U.N. allies. That's a constitutional law that ANYBODY can read. Why do these right-wing people keep falling for the Jedi Mind-Trick that these commentators continue to use on them? Are they really THAT mentally weak to not even question these right-wing extremists and zealots? The mind is such a terrible thing to waste.

[GunnyJ]

09:09 AM on 03/23/2011

Presidential feel good stuff we don't get to see from MSM.

[You Are My Density]

01:37 PM on 03/23/2011

Never. Even HuffPo has only a rare headline that says anything positive about the President.

[The last sane American]

08:16 AM on 03/23/2011

"Obama Makes Surprise Call To College Student, Explains Health Care Benefits"

Failed to mention what it would cost and explain how the states would fund the entitlement in Medicaid he shouldered them with.

[newtom]

09:36 AM on 03/23/2011

That has nothing to do with parents being allowed to keep children on their plans until age 26.

[jasdmd0]

10:57 AM on 03/23/2011

Why stop at 26?? I'm hoping they raise it to 40 or maybe even 50, then I can forgo my personal responsibility as an adult and go back on my parents HC plan, and maybe even bring my kids (their grandkids) along with me!

[KeepLivin49]

12:28 PM on 03/23/2011

The feds pick up 100%

[The last sane American]

02:30 PM on 03/23/2011

In the beginning only.

Good try!

[vu jade]

07:58 AM on 03/23/2011

Cue the gratuitous propaganda video!

[You Are My Density]

01:41 PM on 03/23/2011

Absolutely! We only want propaganda from Faux Noise and fright-wing radio. That's the only acceptable propaganda allowed in this country. We can't have anyone on the left defending themselves against their propaganda either. That would defeat the whole purpose of manipulating the public into hating their President and working to destroy his presidency. Brainwashing is only acceptable when it comes from the right, obviously.