Hear My Story, Hear Our Stories: First Lady Michelle Obama on How Health Insurance Reform Can Help Women

[Official White House transcript of First Lady Michelle Obama's speech to women's advocacy groups at the White House today. You can view video of the entire event here. I have added at the end links to studies or issues mentioned where there were none in the original transcript. Giant H/T to MOMocrat Julie Pippert for organizing outreach/spreading the word on this, and to MOMocrat Glennia for the WH briefing. --Cynematic]

THE WHITE HOUSE

 

Office of the First Lady

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                         September 18, 2009

 

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY

ON WHAT HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM MEANS

FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES

 

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Room 450

11:33 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  Thank you all.  Please, sit.  Rest.  (Laughter.)  First of all, good morning.  I am so thrilled to see so many of you here this morning at the White House.  Welcome.  And that's including my good friend, Dr. Dorothy Height.  (Applause.)  You know, she is always there, for the past eight months and before.  If there was a big event, an important event, she finds a way to be here.  She is my inspiration, and it is wonderful to see you again today.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)

     Thank you all for joining us today for the outstanding work you're doing every day on behalf of women and families all across this country.  I have to thank our extraordinary Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, for taking the time to be here.  (Applause.)  And for her tireless efforts to keep our nation healthy.  And that includes not just pushing for health insurance reform but preparing us for H1N1, pursuing cutting-edge research to find treatments and cures for tomorrow.  Clearly this is not the easiest portfolio she could have, but she is doing a terrific job, and we are grateful for her leadership.

     And I also want to thank Tina Tchen, who you all know, for emceeing today.  (Applause.)  She, too, is doing a fabulous job as Director of our Office of Public Engagement, and she played a critical role in pulling together today's event -- not just as an emcee but as a key figurehead, making sure that we're all aware of what's going on.

     And finally, I want to thank the three women behind me -- to Debi, Easter, and Roxi.  (Applause.)  It is not easy to come here and tell your story.  And these stories aren't new.  You know, these stories are happening all over this country, not just for thousands of women -- for millions of them.  For two years on the campaign trail, this was what I heard from women, that they were being crushed, crushed by the current structure of our health care.  Crushed.  But these stories that we've heard today, and all of us -- if we're not experiencing it, we know someone who is.  These are the stories that remind us about what's at stake in this debate.  This is really all that matters.  This is why we are fighting so hard for health insurance reform.  This is it.  This is the face of the fight.

Ted Kennedy's Letter to President Obama: The Full Text

Last night, in his address to Congress, President Obama quote a letter he received from Senator Ted Kennedy, written a few months ago to be delivered upon his death.

May 12, 2009

 

Dear Mr. President,

 

I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me – and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth.

 

On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life.

 

You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.

 

When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the President who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society. For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination.

 

There will be struggles – there always have been – and they are already underway again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

 

And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family’s health will never again depend on the amount of a family’s wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will – yes, we will – fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.

 

In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign- and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America’s behalf inspires the entire world.

 

So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend- and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become.

 

At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on.

 

And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come.

 

 

With deep respect and abiding affection,

[Ted]

 

 

Happy Women's Equality Day!

Did you know that today, August 26 is Women's Equality Day in the US?  This day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, giving women the right to vote.  Women's suffrage was first proposed in 1848, but did not become law until 1920, 72 years later.  For 72 years, American women organized, rallied, and fought for the right to vote, something we take for granted today. 

Women's Equality Day was first celebrated in 1971, after New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug proposed to mark August 26 as Women's Equality Day.  I had the honor of meeting Bella Abzug in 1980 at a rally.  She was a formidable, charming woman with a great passion for social change and women's rights.  She died in 1998.

In 1995, at the World Summit on Economic Development in Copenhagen, Bella said:

Our struggle is about resisting the slide into a morass of anarchy, violence, intolerance, inequality and injustice.

Our struggle is about reversing the trends of social, economic, political and ecological crisis.

Our struggle is about creating sustainable lives, and attainable dreams...

Because the root of the problem is persistent inequalities and growing inequities.

For us to realize our dreams, we must keep our heads in the clouds and our feet on the ground.

We must marshal our courage and creativity and act together...

If we love ourselves, if we love our young, if we love our country and the earth, -- and we do -- then that same motivation must move us to create not only the words but the actions to remove the great divide between rich and poor.

In a Presidential Proclamation on Women's Equality Day, President Obama said:

Today, our country renews its commitment to freedom and justice for all our citizens. As we prepare to celebrate this women's day of equality, we reflect on the sacrifices once made to allow women and girls the basic rights and choices we freely exercise today. The future we leave to our daughters and granddaughters will be determined by our willingness to build on the achievements of our past and move forward as one people and one Nation. The fight for women's equality is not a woman's agenda, but an American agenda.

I hope that all women of voting age in the US will remember what a precious gift it is to be able to vote.  I hope that all women will take to heart Bella's words and know that the first act in the struggle for equality and justice for all people is to exercise your right to vote, not just in Presidential and national elections, but on every level.

--Glennia

Netroots Nation: Day Two Highlights

Howard Dean on Health Care

The second day of Netroots Nation opened with a discussion of health care with Howard Dean.  Dean was interviewed by Tanya Tarr and Mike Lux in a town hall format.  Many audience members wore hardhats handed out by the United Steelworkers Union to show support for union efforts on health care reform.  During his talk, Dean referred to his new book, Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform: How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer. Dean asked, "Who do you want controlling your health care, you or your insurance company?" He noted that insurance companies are not in the business to provide health care, but to make money.  They are a reflection of the free-wheeling Wall Street culture that led to the current recession.

Netroots Nation: Day One Highlights

Last weekend, MOMocrats Cynematic, LawyerMama, PunditMom, Julie and I traveled to Pittsburgh to take part in the annual Netroots Nation Conference. We spent four days attending panels, plenary sessions, and  parties, and participated as speakers on two panels.  It was an exhausting and exhilarating time, and we could go on for days about the great people we met and the stories we heard.

I wanted to share some of the highlights of my first day at Netroots.

The Myth of Post-Racial America Panel

This discussion, led by Keith Kamisugi, focused on the myth that since America has elected an African-American President, we are now in a "post-racial" period.  The first part of the panel was a screening of a part of the film "9500 Liberty," made by panelist filmmaker Annabel Park, whose documentary delves into a community initiative in Prince William County, Virginia to allow racial profiling, specifically of anyone suspected of being in the United States illegally.  She said that when they started making the film, she and her co-producer, Eric Byler, thought that they were making a film about illegal immigrants, but it turned into a film about race and the incitement of fear into a community.  The film illustrates how misinformation and agitation can take control of an issue and lead to disastrous ends. 

Vote for Your Favorite MOMocrats!

CREDO Mobile is awarding a BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone, plus one year's unlimited service on CREDO, to three deserving recipients. CREDO has setup a contest that you can participate in from any mobile phone regardless of whether you'll be in Pittsburgh at Netroots Nation this sweek. So take a few minutes to review the rules and then cast your votes for individual progressive bloggers you enjoy.

There will be one winner, determined by the highest number of votes submitted via text message, in each of three categories:

    * Best National Blogger
    * Best State or Local Blogger
    * Blog Activist of the Year

Please cast your votes today! Just text the keyword ("national," "state" or "activist") plus your favorite blogger's name or "handle" to short code 27336. We're encouraging people to vote for the following MOMocrats contributors, based on their work on our site and elsewhere, but feel free to vote for your favorite progressive blogger in each category:

    * National  PunditMom/Joanne Bamberger
    * State Julie Pippert
    * Activist Jaelithe

Just text your votes in using this format for your favorites! One vote per category per voter; you may vote in all three categories if you wish. Please note:

   1. Vote for your favorite blogger (a person)—not your favorite blog.
   2. If your favorite blogger usually posts under a handle or alias, please use that in your text message, not his or her real name.

Voting closes: Saturday, August 15th 10:00 a.m. ET

For more information and the full contest rules, please visit CREDO's Mobile Apptitude blog. Winners will be announced Saturday evening, August 15, at the Netroots Nation conference in Pittsburgh.  The MOMocrats will be there in force, so look for us if you're attending!

Mother's Day Every Day Post Roundup

Happy Mother's Day, MOMocrats readers!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our Mother's Day event to promote the Mother's Day Every Day initiative on behalf of The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. Here is a list of posts from bloggers (and politicians!) who participated to help raise awareness about maternal mortality, and save mothers' lives. If we've missed or forgotten you, please add your post in the comments below and we will add you to the list in this post.

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner

Houston's First Lady Andrea White

Women with Big Dogs and Infertility by Julie Pippert

Once Upon a Time, When You Were a Little Baby by Cynematic

How I Became a Mother by Glennia

Mother's Day Every Day: My Story by Jaelithe

Birth: A Love Story by Catherine Connors

Birthing Babies by Robin

Birth Story by Joie

Peeper's Birth Story by Whozat

Geekery and Pregnancy by Nicole

And we would also like to thank Morra Aarons Mele of MomsRising for promoting our event in her BlogHer post, Three Great and Good Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day Online.

Breaking News: Obama Response to North Korea Missile Launch

President Obama issued the following statement from the Czech Republic, in response to the news of North Korea's missile testing:

North Korea's development and proliferation of ballistic missile technology pose a threat to the northeast Asian region and to international peace and security.  The launch today of a Taepo-dong 2 missile was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind.  With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations.

We will immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the U.N. Security Council to bring this matter before the Council.  I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions.

Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is a high priority for my administration.  The United States is fully committed to maintaining security and stability in northeast Asia and we will continue working for the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party Talks.  The Six-Party Talks provide the forum for achieving denuclearization, reducing tensions, and for resolving other issues of concern between North Korea, its four neighbors, and the United States.  North Korea has a pathway to acceptance in the international community, but it will not find that acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and abides by its international obligations and commitments.

North Korea last launched missiles in 2006, which led to UN Resolution 1718.  This launch failed after 40 seconds, landing the missiles 800 miles off the coast of Japan.

Medicare Part D: What You & Your Parents Should Know

Thanks to the lovely ladies of the Parent Bloggers Network, I had the opportunity to be on a conference call last week with Mike Freeman of the Healthcare Leadership Council on Medicare Part D. 

Medicare Part D is the federally-funded prescription drug program for senior citizens, and something my parents complain about bitterly to me nearly every time we talk.  I wanted to hear what the experts had to say about this topic, so that I could help my parents find their way through the bureaucracy and establish a plan that is right for them.  I'm glad I took the time to listen in and ask questions.

The main purpose of the call what to get the word out that the period for seniors and disabled individuals to sign up for Medicare Part D (their form of "open enrollment") is November 15-December 31.  Mike encouraged those of us on the call to help spread the word about this benefit, which is somewhat underutilized.  He also said that healthcare plans change, so some people who might not have needed the benefit last year should look into it.

Medicare has a handy "plan formulary finder" on their website at www.medicare.gov.  Seniors fill in the medications they are taking, the state they live in, and the site allows them to find plans that can best suit their needs.  For seniors who don't have computer access, they can call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak to someone.  They should have a list of their drugs available so that the representative has all of the information they need to find the appropriate plan for them.

LIVEBLOG: Conference Call with Dr. Jill Biden

The MOMocrats were invited to participated in a special conference call for a group of women bloggers, with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of VP Candidate, Joe Biden on Friday, October 17.  Dr. Biden is professor of English at Delaware Technical & Community College, and holds two masters degrees and a PhD in Education.  She is also well-known as a philanthropist for her work as the founder of the Biden Breast Health Inititative. 

Dana Singiser: Welcome and thank you for being on the call.  It's my honor and pleasure to introduce Dr. Jill Biden.  Dr. Biden has spent 30 years as an educator, 15 years at Delaware Tech & Community College, while raising a family.

Also on the call is Danielle Gray, Deputy Policy Advisor for the Campaign, who can help answer some questions.

Jill Biden:  Thank you for being here. I know that many of you are mothers and are working and have a lot to manage in a day.  I know, because I'm the mom of 3 kids, grandmother of 5.  Women are facing more and more hurdles in balancing work and family.  Women primary caretakers, taking care of their families, and often their own parents, like I have been doing for the past several months.  Yet, women do not get equal pay in the workforce, earning only seventy-seven cents to every dollar earned by a man.  Today, women are bearing an even greater burden than ever before.

I've been a teacher for 27 years.  Teaching is my passion. I still teach four days a week.  Even though this campaign is important, my students are also important...Some are raising kids and going to school.  Every day in class room, I see how my students struggle.  People don't realize that the economic problems and the credit crisis affects student loans, too, so many of them worry about how they can stay in school.  My students cannot afford 4 more years of George Bush.  None of us can.

Barack & Joe know what matters to Americans. What matters to Americans are decent jobs, the ability to pay the mortgage, access to affordable healthcare, and ending the war in Iraq.  Neither of them ever forgot where they came from, and will work for America's families.