Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 11:50 am

After signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, more commonly known as health insurance reform, Pres. Barack Obama took time out of his day for a conference call with volunteers, members of the Democratic Party and community leaders from across the country.
Weakley County resident Lisa Robinson was chosen to ask Obama one question.  
In the President’s opening remarks to the group, he acknowledged that the law was not perfect, but insisted that it, nevertheless, “enshrines the idea that everybody in this country should have some security when it comes to health care ... It means that people are going to have enormously more secure lives than they do right now.”
Gathering with family and friends to listen to the call, Robinson asked the President what had been learned from the long and challenging process to pass reform.  
The President reminded listeners that passing federal legislation is difficult work.
The bill changed almost daily as it moved through three committees in the House and two committees in the Senate, before finally passing both houses with a majority on both sides.
The President continued by saying, “I think the most important  thing we learned is that change is possible and we shouldn’t lose heart. I hope everybody in this process has learned to stay hopeful, stay positive and stay focused on the big picture, and then just be dogged and willing to stick with it even when it looks like at any given moment things aren’t going our way.”
Those gathering with Robinson to hear the President included Chasity Roberson, a 20-year-old University of Tennessee at Martin student who volunteered long hours to help get the reform bill passed.
During the call, Roberson expressed both relief and elation when the President referred to a benefit that goes into effect this year.
According to Obama, young people will be allowed to remain on their parents’ insurance policy up until their 26th birthday.
The President outlined other provisions  that also take effect this year including children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance and small businesses that offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable.
Seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ will also receive a $250 rebate to help pay for prescription drugs, under the legislation.
WCP 4.01.10