Hi, all. Today's report features:
• China state visit: The President and First Lady welcome President Hu; press conference with the two Presidents; the First Lady urges students to study in China; a meeting with business leaders; a working lunch at State; fact sheets on US-China economic issues and commercial relations.
• Health care: The costs of repeal; how health reform helps small businesses; state legislators defend reform; Interior Secretary Salazar explains how repeal would harm American Indians and Alaska Natives; Treasury Secretary Geithner says repeal would damage economic growth.
• Energy news: Secretary Chu announces 300,000 low-income homes have been weatherized under the Recovery Act and reports on two new initiatives to promote tribal energy development.
• Greener and cleaner: The White House hosts a roundtable on greening America’s cities; HUD Secretary Donovan reviews major Obama administration accomplishments in advancing clean energy and a healthier environment.
• CHINA STATE VISIT •
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
State Dinner with President Hu of China
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host President Hu of China at a State Dinner at the White House.
WSJ.com, Jan. 19, 2011:
Remarks by President Obama and President Hu of the People’s Republic of China at an Exchange of Toasts at State Dinner
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good evening, everybody. Please have a seat. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. And thank you for joining us as we host President Hu and the Chinese delegation, and as we pay tribute to the bonds between two great nations and two proud peoples.
There are too many distinguished guests to mention all of you tonight. But I do want to acknowledge a few who have championed relations between our nations: First of all, President Jimmy Carter and his wonderful wife Rosalynn Carter are here. (Applause.) As well as President Bill Clinton and my outstanding Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. (Applause.)
President Hu, we have met today in a spirit of mutual respect: the United States — the oldest democracy in the world, and China — one of the oldest civilizations in the world. And while it’s easy to focus on our differences of culture and perspective, let us never forget the values that our people share: A reverence for family; the belief that, with education and hard work and with sacrifice, the future is what we make it; and most of all, the desire to give our children a better life.
Let’s also never forget that throughout our history our people have worked together for mutual progress. We’ve traded together for more than 200 years. We stood together in the Second World War. Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans have helped to build America, including many who join us here tonight.
The Chinese and American people work together and create new opportunities together every single day. Mr. President, today we’ve shown that our governments can work together as well, for our mutual benefit. And that includes this bit of news -— under a new agreement, our National Zoo will continue to dazzle children and visitors with the beloved giant pandas. (Applause.)
I’m told that there is a Chinese proverb that says: If you want one year of prosperity, then grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, then grow trees. But if you want 100 years of prosperity, then you grow people.
And so I propose a toast — to our people, the citizens of the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America. May they grow together in friendship. May they prosper together in peace. And may they realize their dream of the future for themselves, for their children, and for their grandchildren....
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
President Obama and President Hu Press Conference
President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House.
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
Press Conference with President Obama and President Hu of the People's Republic of China
PRESIDENT OBAMA: .... The positive, constructive, cooperative U.S.-China relationship is good for the United States. We just had a very good meeting with the business leaders from both our countries. They pointed out that China is one of the top markets for American exports. We’re now exporting more than $100 billion a year in goods and services to China, which supports more than half a million American jobs. In fact, our exports to China are growing nearly twice as fast as our exports to the rest of the world, making it a key part of my goal of doubling American exports and keeping America competitive in the 21st century.
Cooperation between our countries is also good for China. China’s extraordinary economic growth has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. And this is a tribute to the Chinese people. But it’s also thanks to decades of stability in Asia made possible by America’s forward presence in the region, by strong trade with America, and by an open international economic system championed by the United States of America.
Cooperation between our countries is also good for the world. Along with our G20 partners, we’ve moved from the brink of catastrophe to the beginning of global economic recovery. With our Security Council partners, we passed and are enforcing the strongest sanctions to date against Iran over its nuclear program. We’ve worked together to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula. And most recently, we welcomed China’s support for the historic referendum in southern Sudan....
I am very pleased that we’ve completed dozens of deals that will increase U.S. exports by more than $45 billion and also increase China’s investment in the United States by several billion dollars. From machinery to software, from aviation to agriculture, these deals will support some 235,000 American jobs. And that includes many manufacturing jobs. So this is great news for America’s workers.
I did also stress to President Hu that there has to be a level playing field for American companies competing in China, that trade has to be fair. So I welcomed his commitment that American companies will not be discriminated against when they compete for Chinese government procurement contracts. And I appreciate his willingness to take new steps to combat the theft of intellectual property.
We’re renewing our long-running cooperation in science and technology, which sparks advances in agriculture and industry. We’re moving ahead with our U.S.-China clean energy research center and joint ventures in wind power, smart grids and cleaner coal. I believe that as the two largest energy consumers and emitters of greenhouses gases, the United States and China have a responsibility to combat climate change by building on the progress at Copenhagen and Cancun, and showing the way to a clean energy future. And President Hu indicated that he agrees with me on this issue.
We discussed China’s progress in moving toward a more market-oriented economy and how we can ensure a strong and balanced global economic recovery. We agreed that in China, this means boosting domestic demand; here in the United States, it means spending less and exporting more.
I told President Hu that we welcome China’s increasing the flexibility of its currency. But I also had to say that the RMB remains undervalued, that there needs to be further adjustment in the exchange rate, and that this can be a powerful tool for China boosting domestic demand and lessening the inflationary pressures in their economy. So we’ll continue to look for the value of China’s currency to be increasingly driven by the market, which will help ensure that no nation has an undue economic advantage.
To advance our shared security, we’re expanding and deepening dialogue and cooperation between our militaries, which increases trust and reduces misunderstandings.
With regard to regional stability and security in East Asia, I stressed that the United States has a fundamental interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of differences.
I welcomed the progress that’s been made on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in reducing tensions and building economic ties. And we hope this progress continues, because it’s in the interest of both sides, the region and the United States. Indeed, I reaffirmed our commitment to a one-China policy based on the three U.S.-China communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act.
I told President Hu that we appreciated China’s role in reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and we agreed that North Korea must avoid further provocations. I also said that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program is increasingly a direct threat to the security of the United States and our allies. We agreed that the paramount goal must be complete denuclearization of the peninsula. In that regard, the international community must continue to state clearly that North Korea’s uranium enrichment program is in violation of North Korea’s commitments and international obligations.
With respect to global security, I’m pleased that we’re moving ahead with President Hu’s commitment at last year’s Nuclear Security Summit for China to establish a center of excellence, which will help secure the world’s vulnerable nuclear materials.
To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, we agreed that Iran must uphold its international obligations and that the U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran must be fully enforced.
Along with our P5-plus-1 partners, we’ll continue to offer the government of Iran the opportunity for dialogue and integration into the international community, but only if it meets its obligations.
I reaffirmed America’s fundamental commitment to the universal rights of all people. That includes basic human rights like freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association and demonstration, and of religion -- rights that are recognized in the Chinese constitution. As I’ve said before, the United States speaks up for these freedoms and the dignity of every human being, not only because it’s part of who we are as Americans, but we do so because we believe that by upholding these universal rights, all nations, including China, will ultimately be more prosperous and successful.
So, today, we’ve agreed to move ahead with our formal dialogue on human rights. We’ve agreed to new exchanges to advance the rule of law. And even as we, the United States, recognize that Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China, the United States continues to support further dialogue between the government of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people.
Finally, we continue to expand partnerships between our people, especially our young people. Today, my wife Michelle is highlighting our efforts to increase the number of American students studying in China to 100,000. And I am very pleased that President Hu will be visiting my hometown of Chicago.
Mr. President, you are brave to visit Chicago in the middle of winter. I have warned him that the weather may not be as pleasant as it is here today. (Laughter.) But I know that in the students and the businesspeople that you meet, you will see the extraordinary possibilities of partnership between our citizens.
So, again, I believe that we’ve helped to lay the foundation for cooperation between the United States and China for decades to come. And Michelle and I look forward to hosting President Hu for a state dinner tonight to celebrate the deep ties between our people, as well as our shared hopes for the future....
Office of the First Lady, Jan. 19, 2011:
First Lady Michelle Obama Urges American Youth to Strengthen U.S. – China Ties
President Obama’s "100,000 Strong Initiative" will increase the number and diversity of American students studying in China.
Citing the need to prepare young people to succeed in the modern global economy, First Lady Michelle Obama encouraged students to study in China, work together and make America and the world stronger. In support of the President’s 100,000 Strong Initiative, Mrs. Obama spoke to more than a thousand young people from Washington, DC, area public, private and parochial schools, colleges and universities about the importance of building relationships with their peers in China and creating a mutual understanding around the world. The First Lady has made youth engagement her international focus by both reaching out to young people around the world on behalf of the U.S. and also encouraging American youth to become more involved in world affairs, as she highlighted in her 2010 George Washington University commencement speech....
"Studying in countries like China isn’t only about your prospects in the global marketplace. It’s not just about whether you can compete with your peers in other countries to make America stronger. It’s also about whether you can come together, and work together with them to make our world stronger. It’s about the friendships you make, the bonds of trust you establish, and the image of America that you project to the rest of the world," said First Lady Michelle Obama. That’s why it is so important for more of our young people to live and study in each other’s countries – because that’s how you develop that habit of cooperation. By immersing yourself in someone else’s culture, by sharing your stories and letting them share theirs, by taking the time to get past the stereotypes and misperceptions that too often divide us."
"The State Department sends more Americans to study abroad in China than to any other country, "said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock, "Students who study abroad learn firsthand how critical international exchange programs are to developing the next generation of global citizens."
President Obama unveiled the "100,000 Strong Initiative" during his 2009 visit to China. Today the First Lady announced more than $2.25 million in private sector pledges in support of the initiative’s goal of dramatically increasing the number and diversity of American students studying in China. In particular, the $1 million pledges by both Caterpillar Inc. and Citigroup, the $100,000 pledges by Motorola Solutions Foundation and the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET) are the first major financial commitments made in support of the Initiative. They will advance the goal of increasing the number of American students who study in China by 2014, particularly among under-represented groups such as minority and community college students....
In addition to announcing major funding pledges, the U.S. Mission in China recently relaunched its "EducationUSA" program to ensure that Chinese students and their parents receive trustworthy information about studying in the United States. EducationUSA also features online and mobile services to make this information available throughout China.
The First Lady also highlighted several new efforts launched under the 100,000 Strong Initiative, including:
• The D.C. Center for Global Education and Leadership (CGEL) will create up to 1,000 study abroad opportunities over the next four years in support of the President’s Initiative for students, teachers, and education policymakers from Washington, D.C. public and public charter schools, an underserved community.
• Although community colleges enroll more than half of the undergraduates in the United State, community college students represent only three percent of those who study abroad. To address this discrepancy, the Center for Global Advancement for Community Colleges (CGACC) is establishing an inter-semester China program in collaboration with the West Los Angeles Community College. The program would offer month-long, study-abroad opportunities tailored to community college students. Students from West Los Angeles College, Northern Virginia Community Colleges, Community College of Spokane, Richland Community College, Miami Dade College, and Bronx Community College will be invited to participate in the pilot project, which will later be expanded nationwide.
• In support of the Initiative, last week Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sent a letter to leading educational umbrella groups encouraging their member organizations to increase the number of their students who study abroad in China. To date, 324 institutions have answered in support of her invitation and have pledged to double their numbers over the next four years. Included in these supporters are the 47 public Historically Black College and University members of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund; the 39 private HBCU members of the United Negro College Fund; and the 199 U.S.-based Hispanic-serving members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. This commitment will help address the significant underrepresentation of minority students in study abroad overall and in China in particular.
• A Federal Advisory Committee composed of celebrated China experts and private-sector leaders is being created to provide guidance and support to the Initiative.
Other new efforts include:
• Zinch, a private U.S. information management company with operations in China, will create a free online database for American students to find study abroad opportunities in China.
• The Ford Foundation, a U.S. non-profit with a long-history in China, is providing seed money to the non-profit organization Golden Bridges for the creation of a robust alumni network to bring together students who have traveled to China as part of the 100,000 Strong cohort and previously.
• GreenPoint Group and the Friends of Charitable Education Trust have offered scholarships to students from rural Kansas to participate in the Experiment in International Living’s China program.
• Van Eyck Global has contributed $100,000 in support of the Initiative to the U.S.-China Education Trust. USCET has distributed this money among four forward-looking colleges to provide travel grants for their students to go to China: University of Arkansas, Boston University, North Alabama University, and San Francisco State University.
• The Chinese government has offered 10,000 scholarships for Americans studying in China. These "bridge" scholarships will cover all in-country costs and target high school and college students and teachers.
• In addition, the State Department is working with a large number of schools and study abroad programs to help them identify new sources of funding so that they can scale up their excellent China study programs....
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
Presidents Obama, Hu Meet with Business Leaders
President Obama and President Hu of China meet with American and Chinese business leaders at a roundtable meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
Remarks by President Obama and President Hu in a Roundtable with American and Chinese Business Leaders
PRESIDENT OBAMA: .... President Hu and I have had some excellent discussions, both last night in a smaller dinner and then this morning with our respective teams. But we very much believe that in order for the U.S.-China relationship to deepen and to grow, that it can’t just be a matter of government-to-government contacts.
And there has been no sector of our societies that have been stronger proponents of U.S.-China relations than the business sector. And so I’m very pleased that we have some of America’s top businesses here. Many of them have a longstanding relationship with China; have been selling American goods, promoting American services in China. And they, I think, can testify to the benefits that the United States obtains from strong relations with China.
We’ve got some Chinese business leaders here, who I know are already doing business in the United States, making investments in the United States, engaging in joint ventures in the United States, and helping grow the economy here in the United States. I know they’re interested in finding ways that they can expand their activities in the United States.
And so I think our goal here today was to make sure that we break out of the old stereotypes that somehow China is simply taking manufacturing jobs and taking advantage of low wages; the U.S. is importing cheap goods and thereby having cheaper products, but also putting strains on our employment base -- the relationship is much more complex than that, and it has much more potential than that.
China is one of the top markets for American exports. We’re now exporting more than $100 billion a year in goods and services to China, and that supports about half a million American jobs, from manufacturing to agriculture. And in fact, our exports to China are growing nearly twice as fast as our exports to the rest of the world.
Of course, here in the United States, we’ve got one of the most open economies in the world, and that makes us a top destination for Chinese exports, but also Chinese investment.
It is important, I think, to note that even with China’s enormous population, the United States still does more trade with Europe than it does with China. That, I think, gives an indication of the amount of progress that can be made if we are consulting with each other, if we are hearing specifically from businesses in terms of how we can ease some of the frictions that exist in our trading relationship.
And so my hope is that today, in the brief time that we have, we’ll be able to hear some concrete ideas about how we make sure that trade is fair, that there’s a level playing field; how can we protect intellectual property; how can we promote innovation; how can both of our governments remove barriers to trade and barriers to job creation.
And with China’s growing middle class, I believe that over the coming years, we can more than double our exports to China and create more jobs here in the United States. And I’m sure that Chinese business leaders see enormous opportunities here as well.
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
State Visit Working Lunch at the State Department
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcome President Hu Jintao of China to the State Department for a lunch during President Hu's state visit.
Department of State, Jan. 19, 2011:
Remarks at State Luncheon in Honor of Chinese President Hu Jintao
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon and welcome to the State Department. Please be seated. We are delighted and honored to host such a distinguished gathering. Vice President Biden, Dr. Biden, and I welcome our special guests, especially President Hu Jintao and the distinguished members of the Chinese delegation. I am delighted to have this opportunity to welcome so many members of Congress and members of the President’s cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Gates, Attorney General Holder, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, Secretary of Commerce Locke, Secretary of Energy Chu, Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano, and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk.
As you can tell, we are eating lunch a little late – (laughter) – so we are anxious to provide some nourishment to our guests who have traveled so far to be with us. And it is my pleasure now to introduce my friend and our Vice President, Vice President Biden. (Applause.)
(End of State release.)
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
China State Visit Arrival Ceremony
President Obama welcomes President Hu Jintao to the White House for a state visit in an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
Remarks by President Obama and President Hu of the People's Republic of China at Official Arrival Ceremony
PRESIDENT OBAMA: .... At a time when some doubt the benefits of cooperation between the United States and China, this visit is also a chance to demonstrate a simple truth. We have an enormous stake in each other’s success. In an interconnected world, in a global economy, nations -- including our own -- will be more prosperous and more secure when we work together.
The United States welcomes China’s rise as a strong, prosperous and successful member of the community of nations. Indeed, China’s success has brought with it economic benefits for our people as well as yours, and our cooperation on a range of issues has helped advance stability in the Asia Pacific and in the world.
We also know this: History shows that societies are more harmonious, nations are more successful, and the world is more just, when the rights and responsibilities of all nations and all people are upheld, including the universal rights of every human being.
Mr. President, we can learn from our people. Chinese and American students and educators, business people, tourists, researchers and scientists, including Chinese Americans who are here today —- they work together and make progress together every single day. They know that even as our nations compete in some areas, we can cooperate in so many others, in a spirit of mutual respect, for our mutual benefit.
What Deng Xiaoping said long ago remains true today. There are still great possibilities for cooperation between our countries. President Hu, members of the Chinese delegation, let us seize these possibilities together. Welcome to the United States of America. Hwan-ying. (Applause.) ....
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
FACT SHEET: U.S.-China Economic Issues
The United States and China share one of the most important trade and economic relationships in the world. The U.S. exports $100 billion of goods and services to China, making China our largest trading partner after Canada and Mexico. Those exports support more than half a million U.S. jobs. China’s GDP growth is expected to have reached 10 percent in 2010, and U.S. goods and services exports to China are growing almost two times as fast as overall U.S. goods and services exports. We seek to base our relationship on mutual prosperity, respect for the rules-based trading system, and a deep commitment to resolve outstanding economic issues. President Obama and President Hu took note of the following commitments to strengthen the U.S.-China trade and economic relationship.
Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights Protection....
Eliminating Discriminatory Innovation Policies....
Expanding Market Access for U.S. Manufactured Goods, Agricultural Products and Services....
The United States and China are building on their successful and growing agricultural trade relationship. U.S. agricultural exports to China last year exceeded $12 billion, including soybeans, cotton, and wheat....
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
FACT SHEET: U.S.-China Commercial Relations
China is a key market for U.S. exports. Those exports are generating jobs in every corner of the United States and across every major sector. These involve some of our country’s largest companies, but also an increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises.
In preparation for this visit, several large purchases have been approved including for 200 Boeing airplanes valued at $19 billion. In addition, the Chinese government has indicated that its companies signed 70 contracts for $25 billion in U.S. exports from 12 states. These included sectors ranging from auto parts to agriculture, machinery to chemicals. In addition, 11 investment contracts were signed worth $3.24 billion. Additional, transactions were announced or showcased, exceeding $13.1 billion in total value with approximately $987.8 million in U.S. export content. These deals worth over $45 billion in increased exports will help support an estimated 235,000 jobs in the United States. These cross-border collaborations, both public and private, underpin the expanding U.S.-China commercial partnership, contributing to economic growth and development in both countries. A number of these transactions highlight the increased collaboration in such areas as clean energy and green technologies....
• HEALTH CARE •
White House, Jan. 19, 2011:
White House White Board: The Costs of Repealing Health Care Reform
Stephanie Cutter, an Assistant to the President who has been working on implementing the health reform law, takes to the White House White Board to explain what repealing it would mean for family premium costs and American jobs.
White House Blog, Jan.19, 2011:
Voices of Health Reform: Betsy’s Story
Posted by Stephanie Cutter
Yesterday, we launched Voices of Health Reform to feature stories of Americans who are benefitting from the Affordable Care Act.
In the latest installment, we’re highlighting the story of Betsy Burton, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Betsy started the King's English book store 33 years ago in Salt Lake City and pays the full cost of health benefits for many of her employees, even as premium costs rise.
Betsy is one of millions of Americans who will benefit from the tax credits included in the new law that will make it easier for small business to provide coverage to their workers.
Today, small businesses pay 18 percent more for health insurance premiums than large businesses. The Affordable Care Act changes that by providing tax credits for small businesses that offer employees health insurance. Up to 4 million small businesses could be eligible for relief from high health insurance premiums and, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office, the tax credit will save small businesses $40 billion by 2019. And small business owners like Betsy are benefiting from the tax credit today.
The tax credits are just one of the ways the health reform law will help small businesses. The law will also help level the playing field with large employers by allowing small businesses to band together to get a fairer deal from insurance companies through the creation of competitive private health insurance markets called Exchanges that go into effect in 2014. Exchanges help organize the health insurance marketplace to help consumers and small businesses shop for coverage in a way that permits easy comparison of available plan options based on price, benefits and services, and quality. Pooling people together can help bring costs down and Exchanges will make our health care system more transparent and competitive by making it easier for consumers to compare costs and benefits.
Betsy feels very strongly about providing insurance to her employees and is thrilled that the new tax credits for small business owners will make it easier for her to give them the benefits they have earned and deserve.
Listen to her story:
Office of the Press Secretary, Jan. 19, 2011:
State Legislators: What They're Saying About the Affordable Care Act
As Congress considers legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act, it’s important to take a look at who is opposing repeal. Here’s what state legislators are saying:
Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch:
"Before they vote, they need to think about the Iowa mother who can now get coverage for her 3-year old son who has severe asthma, a pre-existing condition; the Iowa cancer survivor who now no longer has to worry his insurance company will cut off his coverage due to an arbitrary lifetime limit; and, the tens of thousands of young Iowa men and women who now can get coverage on their parents’ health care plan."
Connecticut House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan and Rep. Betsy Ritter:
"We would like to thank Connecticut's Congressional Delegation for standing up for quality, affordable health care for Connecticut's working families. Under federal health reform, our constituents are already seeing better access to affordable care, an end to arbitrary lifetime limits on benefits and denials without a chance of appeal. In addition, our state is taking advantage of millions of new health care dollars for Medicaid and retiree health insurance. We stand behind our delegation as they stand up to the special interests and put Connecticut's people before insurance industry profits."
Arizona State Senator Kyrsten Sinema:
"I strongly urge every member of Arizona’s congressional delegation to stop the political games, stand up for Arizona families and vote against the Repealing Patients’ Rights Act."
Nebraska State Senator Jeremy Nordquist:
"Any attempts to weaken or repeal the Affordable Care Act will eliminate the ability of Nebraskans to get the coverage and care they need. We must work to ensure that Nebraska families can keep their coverage if they like it, increase access for those who are unable to get the care they need, and to ensure that all Nebraska families can see a family doctor."
Texas Representative Garnet F. Coleman:
"It's telling that just weeks after taking office, Republicans in Congress have made it a priority to change current law to take away Americans' healthcare rights and allow insurance companies to drop someone from coverage if they develop a catastrophic illness like cancer. The Republican repeal would add billions to our national deficit and would have very real and drastic consequences on Texas families."
Texas Representative Rafael Anchia:
"Repeal of the Affordable Care Act would be a disaster for the people I represent in North Texas, and would be a very bad turn of events for all Texans. One in four families with children in my district lives in poverty, so my constituents need more access to affordable health insurance – not less."
Minnesota Representative Tom Huntley:
"Every day, Minnesotans are coming to appreciate the Affordable Care Act more and more. Adult children are being offered coverage on their parents’ policy, seniors are getting help with the costly donut hole, and small businesses are adding jobs because the tax credit is helping them provide health coverage."
Minnesota Representative Erin Murphy:
"Repealing the Affordable Care Act means repealing affordable coverage for Minnesotans with preexisting conditions like asthma or diabetes. It means repealing consumer protections that protects an insured family from unfair premium increases. It means bringing back the prescription drug donut hole that prices seniors citizens out of the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy... Repealing the Affordable Care Act represents a fatal step backwards and the consequence is a less stable, more costly health care system for Minnesotans."
New York Assemblyman Felix Ortiz:
"Simply said, revoking the National Health Care Reform Act will make preventative health care non affordable at a time when it is most needed and when it makes the most sense for our country economically. We must provide the means to allow people to seek preventive health care in order to stop the explosive cost of caring for people in emergency settings."
Washington State Senator Karen Keiser:
"For Washington State, going backward is not an option. For small businesses, seniors, families and our most vulnerable communities, we simply cannot afford repeal."
New York Assemblyman Roberto Rodriguez:
"In the past few years we have taken great steps forward and overcome many barriers to finally enact Health Care Reform, it would be disgraceful to revoke this legislation which stands to benefit our citizens."
North Dakota State Senator Tim Mathern:
"I use my time in the Legislature to make health care reform work for North Dakotans. All of us need to tell Congress to move on and give families freedom from the anxiety of medical cost bankruptcy and family stress from health care problems. Don’t repeal what we have – build on it to make it better."
Maryland Delegate James W. Hubbard:
"I strongly urge every member of Maryland’s congressional delegation to stop the political games, stand up for Maryland families and vote against the Repealing Patients’ Rights Act. A repeal of the Patient Bill of Rights would mean:...41,465 Marylanders on Medicare would see significantly higher prescription drug costs... small businesses will once again have to pay higher rates for health insurance than big corporations... (and) adding hundreds of billions of dollars to the deficit without creating a single job."
Maryland Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk:
"If the bill is repealed, the State of Maryland would lose funding for several initiatives, including resources proposed to help limit health insurance premium increases, consumer assistance programs designed to protect our citizens from unscrupulous industry practices, planning for a health insurance exchange to provide low cost insurance, and assistance to 101 employers through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program."
Department of the Interior, Jan. 19, 2011:
Salazar: Repealing the Affordable Care Act Would Set Indian Country Back
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released the following statement regarding the proposal in the House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
"The Affordable Care Act is a vital tool for Native American communities that are working to improve quality of life, overcome health care disparities, and improve wellness and health in Indian Country," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "A vote to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act would only turn back the clock on the real progress we are making toward ensuring that Native Americans have access to quality, affordable health care."
"The Affordable Care Act included landmark legislation that permanently reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is so important to modernizing and improving the health care provided by the Indian Health Service to American Indians and Alaska Natives," added Salazar. "Without the Affordable Care Act, Native Americans will continue to face escalating costs, deep health care disparities, and growing health challenges."
In addition to permanently reauthorizing the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Affordable Care Act:
• Includes important tax exclusions for individual Native Americans whose tribes have opted to purchase health insurance for their members.
• Allows tribes who operate programs under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to purchase federal insurance for employees.
• American Indians and Alaska Natives are exempt from tax penalities for not enrolling in an exchange plan.
• Expands Medicaid coverage to individual with incomes up to 133% of the poverty level starting in 2014.
The White House Blog, Jan.19, 2011:
Affordable Care Act: Increasing Certainty for American Businesses, Economic Growth
Posted by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
Cross-posted from the Treasury Department's blog.
This week the House will vote on a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act would deny 32 million uninsured Americans access to health insurance. Repeal would mean children with pre-existing conditions could once again be denied coverage, young adults would be thrown off their parents’ policies, and the chronically ill who have already enrolled in pre-existing condition insurance plans would have their coverage cancelled. This would be a major setback for the tens of millions of people affected and would harm economic growth as a result.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act would be bad for business and bad for the economy. We are at a crucial stage of the economic recovery. While the private sector has expanded payrolls for 12 straight months, the unemployment rate remains at an unacceptable level. Given where we are, we must do things that help bolster the recovery, and repealing the Affordable Care Act would be a step in the wrong direction.
The ACA helps businesses and the overall economy by eliminating hidden costs that currently contribute to higher health care premiums charged to businesses and the government. For example, health care costs for the uninsured are currently passed on through higher premiums to those to those who pay for health insurance – an estimated cost of an additional $1,000 per worker with family coverage each year. Expanding health insurance coverage to nearly 95 percent of Americans will help to bring down premiums by removing this added cost.
In the absence of reform, health care costs are projected to rise at an unsustainable rate, which will make it increasingly difficult for both businesses and the government to provide health insurance. The ACA includes many provisions that will slow this unsustainable cost growth, including adding to investment in preventive care, linking provider incentives to outcomes, and providing additional tools to control Medicare costs through the Independent Payment Advisory Board. In addition to benefitting businesses that are facing rising costs of providing health insurance, slowing the growth of health care costs significantly improves fiscal sustainability by saving the federal government more than $100 billion in the first ten years and considerably more in the second ten years. We need to take serious steps, including fully implementing the ACA, to bring down future government spending. Failure to address our long-term fiscal problems will lead to higher interest rates, lower business investment and slower overall economic growth.
The Affordable Care Act makes small businesses more competitive by making health insurance more accessible and more affordable. Many have struggled to compete with larger businesses and attract the best workers because of difficulties in providing health insurance. The Affordable Care Act changes that. It helps offset health care costs for small businesses through a tax credit that is worth up to 35 percent of health insurance premiums and is available immediately. And this credit will rise to 50 percent starting in 2014. The health insurance exchanges created under the law will begin in 2014 and allow small businesses to pool their buying power and benefit from reduced administrative costs. Small businesses will also benefit from additional protections under the ACA. For example, the ACA prohibits insurers from inflating premiums when a small business employs a sick worker.
The ACA also ensures that workers will have continuous access to affordable health care, regardless of their employment status or where they work. This increases the flexibility and dynamism of the labor market, as workers will be able to transition between jobs without worrying about losing their insurance. A dynamic labor market contributes to U.S. productivity and competitiveness through increased entrepreneurship and better matches between employees and employers.
Finally, the benefits of the ACA go beyond these immediate effects on the economy and businesses. By reducing wasteful spending and promoting high quality care, the ACA redirects our limited resources away from unnecessary health spending towards more important priorities that will make Americans healthier, will create jobs, and will help generate economic growth.
The Affordable Care Act provides Americans certainty that they will have continuous access to affordable health insurance. And it provides businesses and the government certainty that health care costs will be contained in the future. Additional certainty encourages businesses and families to invest, laying the foundation for stronger economic growth. This is exactly what we need at this crucial stage of the economic recovery.
• ENERGY NEWS •
Department of Energy, Jan. 19, 2011:
Secretary Chu Announces Major New Recovery Act Milestone: 300,000 Homes Weatherized
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that states and territories across the country have now weatherized more than 300,000 low-income homes under the Recovery Act, a major milestone in the Department's efforts to reduce home energy bills for families. This means that states are now more than 50 percent of the way toward meeting President Obama's goal of weatherizing approximately 600,000 homes under the Recovery Act. The weatherization program is helping families save money on their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency with upgrades like insulation, air-sealing, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. The program has also trained a new generation of clean energy workers and is employing more than 15,000 workers nationwide.
"Today marks a major milestone for the weatherization program and shows once again that we are on pace to meet the goals of the Recovery Act. This program has already benefitted 300,000 low-income families and put thousands of people to work," said Secretary Chu. "Through the weatherization program, we are laying the groundwork for a broader efficiency industry in the U.S. that will help grow our economy while saving money for American families."
Through November, the network of state offices, local agencies, and weatherization providers has completed 300,000 homes. Of the total, more than 100,000 have been completed in just the last four months, showing the dramatically accelerated pace of weatherization under the program. A state-by-state breakdown of the homes weatherized through November is available on the Energy Efficiency Pillar page.
Weatherization assistance reduces energy consumption for low-income families on average 35 percent, saving families on average more than $400 on their heating and cool bills in the first year alone. Nationwide, the weatherization of 300,000 homes is estimated to save $161 million in energy costs in just the first year.
DOE has worked closely with state and local governments to ensure the program is well-managed, responsive, and flexible. Nearly all of the states and territories involved in the program have met the milestone of weatherizing more than 30 percent of their targeted number of homes and many have completed more than half of their goals to date.
Read more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Department of Energy, Jan. 19, 2011:
Secretary Chu Announces New Efforts to Promote Clean Energy in Tribal Communities
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today two new initiatives to promote tribal energy development and continue strengthening the partnership between the Department of Energy and tribal nations. Up to $10 million will be available this year through DOE's Tribal Energy Program to support the evaluation, development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on tribal lands that will help save energy and money, expand the use of renewable energy resources, and promote economic development for tribal communities.
Secretary Chu also announced that the Department's Tribal Summit with American Indian and Alaska Native leaders will be held on May 5, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Department's new Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs will work closely with the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in reaching out to tribal leaders in the design of the Summit.
"Tribal Nations are well-positioned to take advantage of the benefits of clean energy. These efforts will help Tribal Nations determine the best projects for their lands and ultimately which technologies to adopt, both improving the environment and supporting long-term clean energy jobs," said Secretary Chu.
Indian Tribes, Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations and Tribal Consortia on whose lands the projects will be located are eligible to apply for the available funding. The funds will support three project areas: first steps and capacity building, energy efficiency development and deployment, and renewable energy development and deployment.
Up to $1.5 million is expected to support the projects focused on capacity building and strategic planning, which can include energy resource and infrastructure analyses, the development of an energy organization, and training programs. The energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment initiatives are expected to receive up to $4 million each to study the technical and economic feasibility of future energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects. The full Funding Opportunity Announcements will be available online at FedConnect.net or accessible through DOE's Tribal Energy Program website. This funding is subject to continuing congressional appropriations.
DOE's Tribal Energy Program promotes tribal energy sufficiency, economic development and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program, part of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for the evaluation and development of their renewable energy resources, implementation of energy efficiency to reduce energy use, and provides education and training to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects. Learn more about the Tribal Energy Program.
• GREENER AND CLEANER •
White House, Jan. 18, 2011:
Greening America’s cities, Part 1
A White House Policy Briefing on ideas and initiatives to green America's cities. The roundtable was held on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Greening America’s Cities, Part 2
The White House Blog, Jan. 19, 2011
A Commitment to Responsibility – HUD’s Work to Build a Clean Energy Economy and a Stronger Environment
Posted by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan
Two years ago, newly inaugurated President Barack Obama stood before the nation and promised a "new era of responsibility." Part of that responsibility requires a commitment to the health of our families and children by protecting the environment in which they live, laying a new foundation for growth by building the clean energy economy of the 21st century, and fighting the threat that climate change presents to our planet. As Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, I’m proud of the work HUD has done to live up to the standard the President set, and to share with you some of our major accomplishments in advancing clean energy and a stronger environment in the Obama Administration.
• Increasing the Energy Efficiency of American Homes and Saving Families Money. Passed as part of President Obama’s Recovery Act, the Green Retrofit Program along with other HUD programs will create thousands of green jobs, reduce energy costs, and improve resident health, as workers retrofit older multi-family apartment developments with energy efficient and green technologies. -Thus far, HUD has "greened" 245,000 homes with a range of energy improvements – and another 35,000 have received deep green retrofits that will save up to 40 percent in energy costs.
• Protecting Children From Lead Paint and Other Home Health Hazards. There can be no more important task than protecting our children from health and safety hazards found in their own homes. Despite banning lead-based paint for residential use over three decades ago, many American homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards. But thanks to the Recovery Act and HUD’s ongoing lead programs, we’ve been able to produce over 16,700 housing units free from lead paint and other health hazards in the last year alone.
• Supporting Local Efforts to Fight Climate Change by Building More Sustainable, Green Economies and Communities. Research demonstrates that homes are responsible for 20 percent of America’s carbon emissions – and the long distances many families have to drive to get to work and schools contributes to our dangerous dependence on oil. That’s why HUD joined with EPA and the Department of Transportation in an unprecedented partnership to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time we connect where we live to where we work. With those partners, HUD recently awarded nearly $170 million in planning grants to ensure that metropolitan regions and rural communities across the country have more housing and transportation choices, can create more livable, walkable neighborhoods that promote energy independence, and will be more economically competitive.
• Strengthening the Ability of Americans to Make Home Energy Improvements of Their Choice. Americans currently spend $200 billion every year in home energy bills, and for too many families, making energy improvements to their homes does not make economic sense. That’s why, as part of the Administration’s Recovery through Retrofit initiative, I joined with Vice President Biden in November to announce PowerSaver, a new FHA mortgage insurance product to enable homeowners to make cost effective, energy saving improvements to their homes. Under the PowerSaver pilot, homeowners will be able to borrow up to $25,000 for terms as long as 20 years to make proven, cost-saving home energy improvements , based on a list of measures developed by FHA and the Department of Energy. The program will kick off later this year.
• Recycling Brownfield Sites to Provide Safe, Affordable Housing for Families. Too often, communities that would like to revitalize their neighborhoods and develop quality affordable housing for families have been hampered by federal red tape. That’s why HUD made changes to the Federal Housing Administration’s procedures to make developing affordable housing easier on brownfield sites provided they meet EPA cleanup requirements – changes that could directly impact the revitalization efforts of communities. Without sacrificing the health of the residents, by employing state-of-the-art environmental protection technologies and techniques, we can "recycle" land in our communities and use it to develop safe, affordable multifamily housing.