奥巴马总统在白宫玫瑰园就平价医疗法案英语演讲稿

Good evening. It is a great honor and a privilege to stand before you today to share my thoughts and vision for the future. As the 44th President of the United States, I have had the opportunity to witness and participate in some of the most challenging and transformative times in our nation's history. And as we gather here today, I want to reflect on the progress we have made, the challenges we face, and the opportunities that lie ahead.First and foremost, let me express my deepest gratitude to the American people for their unwavering support and confidence in me. It is because of you that we have been able to overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable milestones together. From the depths of the Great Recession to the advancements in healthcare, energy, and education, we have made significant strides as a nation.As we reflect on the past, it is important to remember that our journey has not been without its share of trials and tribulations. The Great Recession of 2008 left millions of Americans unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. It was a moment of crisis, but it also served as a catalyst for change. We came together as a nation, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the American spirit.One of the first actions I took as President was to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which not only saved or created millions of jobs but also laid the foundation for a new era of economic growth. We invested in infrastructure, clean energy, and education, knowing that these investments would not only create jobs today but also ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.But our work did not stop there. We also focused on creating a more inclusive economy that would provide opportunities for all. Through the Affordable Care Act, we ensured that millions of Americans could access quality, affordable healthcare. This was a historic achievement that has improved the lives of millions of Americans and put us on a path towards a healthier, more prosperous nation.In the realm of energy, we have made significant progress in reducing our dependence on foreign oil and combating climate change. Through theParis Agreement, we joined forces with nations around the world to address this global challenge. While there are those who question our commitment to this cause, I firmly believe that investing in cleanenergy and reducing carbon emissions is not just good for our planet,but also for our economy and national security.Education has always been a cornerstone of our democracy, and we have made significant strides in ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. Through the Race to the Top initiative, weincentivized states to raise standards, improve teaching, and close achievement gaps. We have also made historic investments in early childhood education, recognizing that the foundation of success beginsin the earliest years.But as we celebrate our achievements, we must also confront the challenges that lie ahead. We live in a world that is increasingly interconnected and complex, and we must be prepared to address thethreats that confront us. From terrorism to cybersecurity, from global pandemics to economic instability, we face a myriad of challenges that require us to come together as a nation and as a global community.One of the greatest threats we face is the growing income inequalitythat divides our society. While we have made progress in liftingmillions out of poverty, there are still far too many Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. We must continue to fight for economic justice, ensuring that hard work is rewarded and that everyone has afair shot at success.Furthermore, we must address the issue of racial inequality and systemic racism that plagues our nation. The recent events in Ferguson, Baltimore, and Charlotte have brought to light the deep wounds that continue to divide us. It is our responsibility to confront these issues head-on, to ensure that justice is served, and to create a more just and equitable society for all.As we look to the future, we must also recognize the importance of international cooperation. In a world that is more interconnected than ever before, our success depends on the success of others. We mustcontinue to build bridges of understanding and cooperation, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across the globe.In conclusion, as we stand on the precipice of a new era, let us not lose sight of the progress we have made. We have overcome great challenges, achieved remarkable milestones, and laid the foundation for a brighter future. But we must also recognize that our work is far from over. We must continue to fight for the values that define us as a nation: equality, justice, opportunity, and a commitment to the common good.Let us remember that the strength of our democracy lies in the collective will of its people. It is through our unity, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to the principles that our Founders established that we will continue to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.Together, we can build a future that is more just, more prosperous, and more hopeful. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.Thank you.。

‘Obamacare’ UpheldIn the last week of June, almost as if awaiting a providential column在六月的最后一周，如同等待着来自梵蒂冈幸运石柱的烟雾一般。

of smoke from the Vatican, journalists and the partisan faithful记者和党派成员们忠诚的包围在surrounded the Supreme Court in anticipation of its ruling on the最高法院的周围等待着它对白宫医疗法案的裁决。

White House’s Affordable Care Act. ‘Obamacare’—what the plan那个被称为“奥巴马医改”的计划that would extend healthcare to tens of millions of Americans has been dubbed将增加数以百万计的美国公民的医疗保健。

—remains a lightning rod for conservatives who portray it as a “socialist” expansion of big government.那些把医改描述为大政府的“社会主义”扩张的人，给保守党留了一个幌子。

The narrow 5-4 vote that saw the Supreme Court uphold the constitutionality of the law was swung by the conservative Justice John Roberts,有限的4至5票使得保守党法官约翰罗伯茨看到最高法院对法律的合宪法性的支持飘忽不定。

who argued that the law’s mandate requiring the purchase of insurance could be interpreted simply as a tax.他曾证明法律强制要求（民众）购买保险说白了就是一种税收政策。

2017年奥巴马就职演讲稿英文原稿(附中文翻译)篇一：奥巴马就职演讲稿中英文对照奥巴马就职演讲稿中英文对照(CNN) -- Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president Tuesday. This is a transcript of his prepared speech. In his speech Tuesday, President Obama said America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.My fellow citizens:I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set asidechildish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger andmore united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and thatAmerica must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.This is the price and the promise of citizenship.This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now standbefore you to take a most sacred oath.So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.奥巴马就职演讲中文版（供参考）各位同胞：今天我站在这里，为眼前的重责大任感到谦卑，对各位的信任心怀感激，对先贤的牺牲铭记在心。

奥巴马医疗改革演讲稿Good evening, everybody. Tonight, after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying, and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States Congress finally declared that America’s workers and America’s families and America’s small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here, in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they’ve worked a lifetime to achieve.Tonight, at a time when the pundits said it was no longer possible, we rose above the weight of our politics. We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests. We didn’t give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things and tackling our biggest challenges. We proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people.I want to thank every member of Congress who stood up tonight with courage and conviction to make health care reform a reality. And I know this wasn’t an easy vote for a lot of people. But it was the right vote. I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her extraordinary leadership, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn for their commitment to getting the job done. I want to thank my outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden, and my wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, for their fantastic work on this issue.I want to thank the many staffers in Congress, and my own incredible staff in the White House, who have worked tirelessly over the past year with Americans of all walks of life to forge a reform package finally worthy of the people we were sent here to serve.Today’s vote answers the dreams of so many who have fought for this reform. To every unsung American who took the time to sit down and write a letter or type out an e-mail hoping your voice would be heard — it has been heard tonight. To the untold numbers who knocked on doors and made phone calls, who organized and mobilized out of a firm conviction that change in this country comes not from the topdown, but from the bottom up — let me reaffirm that conviction: This moment is possible because of you.Most importantly, today’s vote answers the prayers of every American who has hoped deeply for something to be done about a health care system that works for insurance companies, but not for ordinary people. For most Americans, this debate has never been about abstractions, the fight between right and left, Republican and Democrat —it’s always been about something far more personal. It’s about every American who knows the shock of opening an envelope to see that their premiums just shot up again when ti mes are already tough enough. It’s about every parent who knows the desperation of trying to cover a child with a chronic illness only to be told “no” again and again and again. It’s about every small business owner forced to choose between insuring employees and staying open for business. They are why we committed ourselves to this cause.Tonight’s vote is not a victory for any one party —it’s a victory for them. It’s a victory for the American people. And it’s a victory for common sense.Now, it probably goes without saying that tonight’s vote will give rise to a frenzy of instant analysis. There will be tallies of Washington winners and losers, predictions about what it means for Democrats and Republicans, for my poll numbers, for my administration. But long after the debate fades away and the prognostication fades away and the dust settles, what will remain standing is not the government-run system some feared, or the status quo that serves the interests of the insurance industry, but a health care system that incorporates ideas from both parties — a system that works better for the American people.If you have health insurance, this reform just gave you more control by reining in the worst excesses and abuses of the insurance industry with some of the toughest consumer protections this country has ever known — so that you are actually getting what you pay for.If you don’t have insurance, this reform gives you a chance to be a part of a big purchasing pool that will give you choice and competition and cheaper prices for insurance. And it includes the largest health care tax cut for working families andsmall businesses in history — so that if you lose your job and you change jobs, start that new business, you’ll finally be able to purchase quality, affordable care and the security and peace of mind that comes with it.This reform is the right thing to do for our seniors. It makes Medicare stronger and more solvent, extending its life by almost a decade. And it’s the right thing to do for our future. It will reduce our deficit by more than $100 billion over the next decade, and more than $1 trillion in the decade after that.So this isn’t radical reform. But it is major reform. This legislation will not fix everything that ails our health care system. But it moves us decisively in the right direction. This is what change looks like.Now as momentous as this day is, it’s not the end of this journey. On Tuesday, the Senate will take up revisions to this legislation that the House has embraced, and these are revisions that have strengthened this law and removed provisions that had no place in it. Some have predicted another siege of parliamentary maneuvering in order to delay adoption of these improvements. I hope that’s not the case. It’s time to bring this debate to a close and begin the hard work of implementing this reform properly on behalf of the American people. This year, and in years to come, we have a solemn responsibility to do it right.Nor does this day represent the end of the work that faces our country. The work of revitalizing our economy goes on. The work of promoting private sector job creation goes on. The work of putting American families’ dreams back within reach goes on. And we march on, with renewed confidence, energized by this victory on their behalf.In the end, what this day represents is another stone firmly laid in the foundation of the American Dream. Tonight, we answered the call of history as so many generations of Americans have before us. When faced with crisis, we did not shrink from our challenge — we overcame it. We did not avoid our responsibility — we embraced it. We did not fear our future — we shaped it.Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.奥巴马政府医改的主要内容（一）奥巴马的政策主张奥巴马主张，对于那些已有保险并且感到满意的民众，这部分人的保险不必作任何改动；而是为那些对现有的制度不满意或者没有保险的人提供帮助。

我最喜欢的政治家英语作文120词My favorite politician is Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. He served two terms from 2009 to 2017. I admire him for his leadership, eloquence, and dedication to public service. Obama worked tirelessly to improve healthcare with the Affordable Care Act, which helped millions gain access to medical services. He is also known for his efforts to combat climate change and promote equality. His inspiring speeches and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds have made a lasting impact. Obama’s vision of hope and change resonates with many, and he continues to influence future generations through his work and advocacy even after leaving office.中文翻译：我最喜欢的政治家是巴拉克·奥巴马，美国第44任总统。

他于2009年至2017年担任两届总统。

我欣赏他出色的领导能力、口才和对公共服务的奉献精神。

奥巴马努力推动医疗改革，通过《平价医疗法案》帮助数百万人获得医疗服务。

Hi, everybody. This week, there was a big birthday you might have missed. Medicare and Medicaid医疗保险和医疗补助turned 50 years old. And that’s something worth celebrating.If one of the best measures of a country is how it treats its more vulnerable citizens -- seniors, the poor, the sick -- then America has a lot to be proud of. Think about it. Before Social Security, too many seniors lived in poverty. Before Medicare, only half had some form of health insurance. Before Medicaid, parents often had no help covering the cost of care for a child with a disability.But as Americans, we declared that our citizens deserve a basic measure of security and dignity. And today, the poverty rate for seniors is less than half of what it was fifty years ago. Every American over 65 has access to affordable health care医疗保健. And today, we’re finally finishing the job -- since I signed the Affordable Care Act 平价医疗 into law, the uninsured rate for all Americans has fallen by about one-third.These promises we made as a nation have saved millions of our own people from poverty and hardship, allowing us new freedom, new independence, and the chance to live longer, better lives. That’s something to be proud of. It’s heroic. These endeavors -- these American endeavors -- they didn’t jus t make us a better country. They reaffirmed that we are a great country.And a great country keeps the promises it makes. Today, we’re often told that Medicare and Medicaid are in crisis. But that’s usually a political excuse政治理由 to cut their funding, privatize them, or phase them out entirely 逐步淘汰-- all of which would undermine逐渐破坏 their core guarantee. The truth is, these programs aren’t in crisis. Nor have they kept us from cutting our deficits by two-thirds since I took office. What is true is that every month, another 250,000 Americans turn 65 years old, and become eligible for有资格Medicare. And we all deserve a health care system that delivers efficient, high-quality care. So to keep these programs strong, we’ll have to make smart changes over time, just like we always have.Today, we’re actually proving that’s possible. The Affordable Care Act has already helped secure Medicare’s funding for another 13 years. 已经为医疗保健提供13年的资金The Affordable Care Act has saved more than nine million folks on Medicare 15 billion dollars on their prescription medicine. It has expanded Medicaid to help cover 12.8 million more Americans, and to help more seniors live independently. And we’re moving our health care system toward models that reward the quality of the careyou receive, not the quantity of care you receive. That means healthier Americans and a healthier federal budget.Today, these programs are so fundamental to our way of life that it’s easy to forget how hard people fought against them at the time. When FDR 富兰克林 created Social Security, critics called it socialism. When JFK and LBJ worked to create Medicare, the cynics said it would take away our freedom. But ultimately, we came to see these programs for what they truly are -- a promise that if we work hard, and play by the rules, we’ll be rewarded with a basic measure of dignity, security, and the freedom to live our lives as we want.It’s a promise that previous generations made to us, and a promise that our generation has to keep.Thanks, and have a great weekend.。

奥巴马每周电台演讲英语听力篇一：奥巴马每周电台演讲Andeveryonewhoalreadyhashealthinsurance,whetherthroughyourem ployer,Medicare,orMedicaid,willkeepthebenefitsandprotectionsthis lawhasalreadyputinplace.Threemillionmoreyoungadultshavehealthins uranceontheirparents’plansbecauseoftheAffordableCareAct.Moretha nsixmillionpeopleonMedicarehavesavedanaverageof$1,000ontheirpres criptionmedicinebecauseoftheAffordableCareAct.每个已经有医保的人，不管你是通过雇主、医保还是医疗救助获得的，将继续享受这个法案已经提供的福利和保障。

因为可承受的医保，将有三百多万年轻的成人通过父母的险种获得医保。

因为可承受的医保，有六百多万享受医保的人们在处方药上平均节约1,000美元。

Lastyear,morethan8millionAmericansreceivedhalfabilliondollar sinrefundsfromtheirinsurersbecauseoftheAffordableCareAct.Andfort ensofmillionsofwomen,preventivecarelikemammogramsandbirthcontrol arefreebecauseoftheAffordableCareAct.去年，因为可承受的医保，八百多万人获得了保险人五十万美元的返款。

因为可承受的医保法案，成千上万的妇女们将获得诸如妈咪项目和生育之类的免费预防性医保。

奥巴马总统在白宫玫瑰园就《平价医疗法案》英语演讲稿THE PRESIDENT: Everybody, have a seat.MS. BAKER: Hello. My name is Janice Baker. I havethe privilege to say that I'm the firstperson in the state of Delaware to enrollfor health insurance through the new marketplace. (Applause.) Like many consumers out there, it took me a number of frustratingattempts beforeI could apply for and select my plan. I kept trying because I needed access to thenew healthcare options.I had applied to three privateinsurance companies only to be rejected due to preexistinghealthconditions. I am too young for Medicare,but I'm too old not to have some health issues. Iwas able to find a policy I am thrilled with, saving $150 a month, andmuch lower deductiblesthan my previous policy thatI held through my smallbusiness.I'm here today to encourage otherpeople like me who needs access to quality, affordableinsurance, and to tellthem to have patience with such a new system. Without this ability toget this insurance, Iknow that a single hospital stay could have1 / 14bankrupted me and mybusiness.Thank you all. And I am now honored to introduce thePresident of the United States. (Applause.)THE PRESIDENT: Great job.MS. BAKER: Thank you. Thank you.THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you,everybody. Well, thank you, Janice.And thanks to everybody here for coming onthis beautiful day. Welcome to the WhiteHouse.About three weeks ago, as thefederal government shut down, the Affordable Care Act'shealth insurancemarketplaces opened for business across the country. Well, we've now gottenthe government backopen for the American people, and today I want to talk about how we'regoing toget the marketplaces running at full steam, as well. And I'm joined today by folks whohave eitherbenefited from the Affordable Care Act already, or who are helping theirfellowcitizens learn about what this law means for them and how they can get covered.Of course, you've probably heardthat –- the new website where people canapply for healthinsurance, and browse and buy affordable plans in most states –- hasn'tworkedas smoothly as it was supposed to work. And the 2 / 14number of people who have visitedthe site has beenoverwhelming, which has aggravated some of these underlying problems.Despite all that, thousands ofpeople are signing up and saving money as we speak. ManyAmericans with a preexisting condition,like Janice, are discovering that they can finally gethealth insurance likeeverybody else.So today, I want to speak toevery American who's looking to get affordable healthinsurance. I want you to know what's available to youand why it may be a good deal for you.And for those who've had some problems with the website, I want to tellyou what we're doingto make it work better and how you can sign up to getcovered in other ways.But before I do that, let meremind everybody that the Affordable Care Act is not just awebsite. It's much more. For the vast majority of Americans -- for 85percent of Americanswho already have health insurance through your employer orMedicare or Medicaid -– you don'tneed to sign up for coverage through awebsite at all. You've already gotcoverage. What theAffordable Care Actdoes for you is to provide you with new benefits and protections that havebeenin place for some time. You may not knowit, but you're already benefiting from 3 / 14theseprovisions in the law.For example, because of theAffordable Care Act, young people like Jasmine Jennings, andJessica Ugalde,and Ezra Salop, all of whom are here today, they've been able to stay ontheirparents' plans until they're 26. Millions of other young people are currently benefiting fromthat part ofthe law. (Applause.) Another part of the Affordable Care Act isproviding seniors withdeeper discounts on their prescription medicine. Billions of dollars have been saved byseniorsalready. That's part of thelaw. It's already in place. It's happening right now. Already, because of theAffordable Care Act, preventive care like mammograms and birthcontrol are freethrough your employers. That's part ofthis law. (Applause.) So there are a widerange of consumerprotections and benefits that you already have if you've got healthinsurance.You may not have noticedthem, but you've got them, and they're not going anywhere. Andthey're not dependent on a website.Here's another thing that theAffordable Care Act does. In stateswhere governors andlegislatures have wisely allowed it, the Affordable CareAct provides the opportunity for manyAmericans to get covered under Medicaidfor the first time.4 / 14So in Oregon, forexample, that'shelped cut the number of uninsured people by 10 percent just inthe last three weeks. Thinkaboutthat. That's 56,000 more Americans whonow have health care. (Applause.) That doesn'tdepend on a website.Now, if you're one of the 15percent of Americans who don't have health insurance -- eitherbecause you can'tafford it or because your employer doesn't offer it, or because you're asmallbusinessperson and you have to go out on the individual market and buy it onyour ownand it's just too expensive -- October 1st was an important date. That's when we opened thenew marketplaceswhere people without health insurance, or who can't afford healthinsurance, orwho aren't part of a group plan, can finally start getting affordable coverage.And the idea is simple. By enrolling in what we're calling thesemarketplaces, you becomepart of a big group plan -- as if you were working fora big employer -- a statewide group planthat spreads risk between sick peopleand healthy people, between young and old, and thenbargains on your behalf forthe best deal on health care. What we'vedone is essentially create acompetition where there wasn't competitionbefore. We created these big groupplans, and nowinsurers are really interested in 5 / 14getting your business. And so insurers have created new healthcareplans with more choices to be made available through these marketplaces.And as a result of this choiceand this competition, prices have come down. When you addthe new tax credits that many people are eligible forthrough the law, then the prices comedown even further. So one study shows that through new optionscreated by the Affordable CareAct, nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans willfind that they can get covered for less than $100 amonth. Think about that. (Applause.)Through the marketplaces, you canget health insurance for what may be the equivalentof your cell phone bill oryour cable bill, and that's a good deal.So the fact is the product of theAffordable Care Act for people without health insurance isquality healthinsurance that's affordable. And thatproduct is working. It's reallygood. And itturns out there's a massivedemand for it. So far, the nationalwebsite, , has beenvisited nearly 20 million times. Twenty million times. (Applause.) And there's great demand atthe state level as well, because there are abunch of states that are running their ownmarketplaces.6 / 14We know that nearly one-third ofthe people applying in Connecticut and Maryland, forexample, are under 35years old. They understand that they canget a good deal at low costs,have the security of health care, and this is notjust for old folks like me -- that everybodyneeds good quality healthinsurance. And all told, more than halfa million consumers across thecountry have successfully submitted applicationsthrough federal and state marketplaces. Andmany of those applications aren't just for individuals, it's fortheir entire families. So evenmorepeople are already looking to potentially take advantage of the high quality,affordableinsurance that is provided through the Affordable Care Act.So let me just recap here. The product is good. The health insurance that's being providedisgood. It's high quality and it'saffordable. People can save money,significant money, bygetting insurance that's being provided through thesemarketplaces. And we know thatthedemand is there. People are rushing tosee what's available. And those who havealready hada chance to enroll are thrilled with the result. Every day, people who were stuck withsky-highpremiums because of preexisting conditions are getting affordableinsurance for the 7 / 14first time, orfinding, like Janice did, that they're savinga lot of money. Every day, women arefinally buyingcoverage that doesn't charge them higher premiums than men forthe same care. (Applause.)Every day, people are discovering that newhealth insurance plans have to cover maternitycare, mental health care, freepreventive care.So you just heard Janice's story-- she owns her own small business. Sherecently became thefirst woman to enroll in coverage through Delaware'sexchange. And it's true, it took her afewtries, but it was worth it after being turned down for insurance threetimes due to minorpreexisting conditions. So now she'll be covered, she'll save 150 bucks a month, and shewon'thave to worry that one illness or accident will cost her her business that she'sworked sohard to build.And Janice is not alone. I recently received a letter from a womannamed Jessica Sanford inWashington State. And here's what she wrote: “I ama single mom, no child support, self-employed, and I haven't had insurance for15 years because it's too expensive. Myson hasADHD and requires regular doctor visits and his meds alone cost $250per month. I have had anongoingtendinitis problem due to my line of work that I 8 / 14haven't had treated. Now, finally, weget to have coverage becauseof the ACA for $169 per month. I wascrying the other day when Isigned up. Somuch stress lifted.”Now, that is not untypical for alot of folks like Jessica who have been struggling withouthealthinsurance. That's what the AffordableCare Act is all about. The point is, theessence of thelaw -- the health insurance that's available to people -- isworking just fine. In somecases,actually, it's exceeding expectations -- the prices are lower than we expected,the choice isgreater than we expected.But the problem has been that the website that'ssupposed to make it easy to apply for andpurchase the insurance is not workingthe way it should for everybody. Andthere's nosugarcoating it. The websitehas been too slow, people have been getting stuck during theapplicationprocess. And I think it's fair to saythat nobody is more frustrated by that than I am -- precisely because theproduct is good, I want the cash registers to work. I want the checkoutlines to be smooth. So I want people to be able to get this greatproduct. And there's no excusefor theproblems, and these problems are getting fixed. But while we're working out the kinks in thesystem, I want 9 / 14everybody to understand thenature of the problem. First of all, even with all the problems , the website isstill working for a lot of people -- just not asquick or efficient or consistent as we want. Andalthough many of these folks have found that they had to wait longerthan they wanted, oncethey complete the process they're very happy with thedeal that's available to them, just likeJanice's.Second, I want everybody toremember that we're only three weeks into a six-month openenrollment period,when you can buy these new plans. (Applause.) Keep in mind theinsurancedoesn't start until January 1st; that's the earliest that theinsurance can kick in. No one whodecidesto purchase a plan has to pay their first premium until December 15th. And unlike theday after Thanksgiving salesfor the latest Playstation or flat-screen TVs, the insurance plansdon't runout. They're not going to sell out. They'll be available through the marketplace-- (applause) -- throughout the open enrollment period. The prices that insurers have set willnotchange. So everybody who wants insurancethrough the marketplace will get insurance,period. (Applause.) Everybody who wants insurance through the marketplace will getinsurance.10 / 14Third, we are doing everything wecan possibly do to get the websites working better, faster,sooner. We've got people working overtime, 24/7, toboost capacity and address the problems.Experts from some of America's top private-sector tech companies who, bythe way, have seenthings like this happen before, they want it to work. They're reaching out. They're offering tosend help. We've had some of the best IT talent in theentire country join the team. Andwe'rewell into a “tech surge” to fix the problem. And we are confident that we will get all theproblems fixed.Number four -- while the websitewill ultimately be the easiest way to buy insurancethrough the marketplace, itisn't the only way. And I want toemphasize this. Even as weredouble ourefforts to get the site working as well as it's supposed to, we're alsoredoubling ourefforts to make sure you can still buy the same quality,affordable insurance plans availableon the marketplace the old-fashioned way-- offline, either over the phone or in person.And, by the way, there are a lotof people who want to take advantage of this who are morecomfortable workingon the phone anyway or in person. So letme go through the specifics as tohow 11 / 14you can do that if you're having problemswith the website or you just prefer dealing witha person.Yesterday, we updated the website'shome page to offer more information about the otheravenues to enroll inaffordable health care until the online option works for everybody. So you'llfind information about how to talkto a specialist who can help you apply over the phone or toreceive adownloadable application you can fill out yourself and mail in.We've also added more staff tothe call centers where you can apply for insurance over thephone. Those are already -- they've beenworking. But a lot of people havedecided first to go tothe website. Butkeep in mind, these call centers are already up and running. And you can getyour questions answered byreal people, 24 hours a day, in 150 different languages. The phonenumber for these call centers is1-800-318-2596. I want to repeat that --1-800-318-2596. Waittimes have averagedless than one minute so far on the call centers, although I admit that thewaittimes probably might go up a little bit now that I've read the number out loudon nationaltelevision. (Laughter.) But the point is the call centersare available. You can talk to somebodydirectly and theycan walk you through the 12 / 14application process. And I guarantee you, if one thing is worththewait, it's the safety and security of health care that you can afford, orthe amount of moneythat you can save by buying health insurance through themarketplaces. (Applause.)Once you get on the phone with atrained representative, it usually takes about 25minutes for an individual toapply for coverage, about 45 minutes for a family. Once you applyfor coverage, you will becontacted by email or postal mail about your coverage status.But you don't have to just gothrough the phone. You can also apply inperson with the helpof local navigators -– these are people specially trainedto help you sign up for health care, andthey exist all across the country, oryou can go to community health centers and hospitals. Justvisit to findout where in your area you can get help and apply forinsurance in person.And finally, if you've alreadytried to apply through the website and you've been stucksomewhere along theway, do not worry. In the coming weeks,we will contact you directly,personally, with a concrete recommendation forhow you can complete your application,shop for coverage, pick a plan 13 / 14thatmeets your needs, and get covered once and for all.So here's the bottom line. The product, the health insurance isgood. The prices are good.It is a good deal. People don't just want it; they're showing upto buy it. Nobody is madder thanmeabout the fact that the website isn't working as well as it should, which meansit's going toget fixed. (Laughter andapplause.)14 / 14。

The Patient's Bill of Rights and HealthReformOver the past few decades, there has been an intense struggle in Washington between the lobbyists游说者 for the insurance industry and the interests of the American people over what has been called a Patient’s Bill of Rights – a set of rules to protect Americans from some of the worst practices of the health insurance industry; rules to ensure that all Americans are getting the care they need from their doctors and the care they deserve from their insurance companies.The last time a Patient’s Bill of Rights was within reach was roughly a decade ago, and it was supported by Democrats 2 and Republicans alike, from Ted 1 Kennedy to John McCain. It included the right to an appeals process so you could challenge an unfair decision by an insurance company before a third party. It included the right to choose your own doctor. It included the right to access接入，访问 information about what your health insurance plan means for you. And it called for a new level of transparency so that patients would know if their doctors had a conflict of interest when providing services.Now, this Patient’s Bill of Rights n ever made it into law. Itfell victim – again and again – to the same special interest lobbying that has blocked passage of health insurance reform for so many decades. But today, we are being given another chance to make it a reality, because each of these rights, and many more, are incorporated in the health insurance reform bill that recently passed the House of Representatives and in the bill that is currently making its way through the Senate.Both the House and Senate bills would make it against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage 3 on the basis of a pre-existing condition or illness. Both would stop insurers from charging exorbitant 4 过高的，过分的 premiums 赠品，保险费 on the basis of age, health, or gender 6 . Both would prevent insurance companies from dropping your coverage when you get sick. And both would put a limit on how much you have to pay out of pocket for the treatments you need in a year or lifetime.Simply put, the protections currently included in both the health insurance reform bill passed by the House and the version currently on the Senate floor would represent the toughest measures we’ve ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable. Anyone who says otherwise simply hasn’t read the bills. Just open these pro posals at random 随意地，任意地and you’ll find on almost any page patientprotections that dwarf侏儒，矮子 any of those passed by Congress in at least a decade.These protections are just one part of a landmark 9 reform that will finally reduce the cost of health care. When it becomes law, families will save on their premiums 5 . Small businesses and Americans who don’t get any insurance today through their employers will no longer be forced to pay punishingly high rates to get coverage. This legislation will also strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program, while saving senior citizens hundreds of dollars a year in prescription 10 costs. And reforms to target waste, inefficiency 11 , and price-gouging by the insurance industry will help make this the largest deficit 12 reduction plan in over a decade.The insurance industry knows all this. That’s why they’re at it again, using their muscle in Washington to try to block a vote they know they will lose. They’re lobbying. They’re running ads. T hey’re spending millions of dollars to kill health insurance reform, just like they’ve done so many times before. They want to preserve a system that works better for the insurance industry than it does for the American people.But now – for the first time – there is a clear majority in the Senate that’s willing to stand up to the insurance lobby and embrace lasting 13 health insurance reforms that have eluded 14 us for generations. The question is whether the minority that opposes these reforms will continue to use parliamentary maneuvers 15 to try and stop the Senate from voting on them.Whatever their position on health insurance reform, Senators ought to allow an up or down vote. Let’s bring this long and vigorous debate to an end. Let’s del iver on the promise of health insurance reforms that will make our people healthier, our economy stronger, and our future more secure. And as this difficult year comes to a close, let’s show the American people that we are equal to the task of meeting our great challenges.Thanks for listening, and on behalf of Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and Bo, happy holidays, from our family to yours.■文章重点单词注释：1tedvt.翻晒，撒，撒开参考例句：The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。