From left: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Barack Obama.Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Former PresidentBarack Obamaon Tuesday made his first trip back to the White House in five years, heading to the East Room to tout the Affordable Care Act, the landmark piece of legislation — first controversial and then widely popular — that was passed during his time in office.
The former president, 60, spoke about easing access to affordable health care alongside Biden, 79, and Vice PresidentKamala Harris.
Obama began his time at the podium with a joke, calling Biden “vice president,” before walking over and shaking his hand to applause from the audience.
Obama then went on to riff on the “changes” that had been made in the White House since Biden took office.
Barack Obama.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty
But Obama quickly grew more serious, saying that it felt good to be back in order to reconnect with those who help the government, and the first family, function.
“Coming back — even if I have to wear a tie, which I very rarely do these days — gives me a chance to visit with some of the incredible people who serve this White House and serve this country ever single day, a lot of times out of the limelight,” he said. “They make this government function and they help people in ways big and small. And from the outside, sometimes people don’t understand just how grueling this is. And how many sacrifices people make. Because those of us who are in front of the cameras oftentimes get the credit.”
Obama spent most of his speech touting the importance of strengthening the ACA, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, despite widespread Republican opposition.
The reform legislation has since survived numerous judicial and legislative challenges and hasbecome increasingly popularwith time.
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From left: Kamala Harris Joe Biden, Barack Obama.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty
He added that he had intended to get the ACA passed even if it cost him a second term in office — “Which, for a while, it looked like it might,” he added with a wry grin.
But, Obama noted, “in some cases health care subsidies aren’t where we want them to be,” comparing the first iteration of ACA to a “starter home” that needs to be built upon.
In an effort to strengthen the law, Biden announced on Tuesday a proposal toincrease the number of dependentswho can get subsidized insurance under the law. (That proposal would “fix a glitch” in the current law, Obama said.)
Though Republican-led states havetried to eliminate the ACAseveral times since Obama left office, the Supreme Court again decided last year that itis constitutional.
Obama visited the White House weeks after testing positive forCOVID-19, which he shared on Facebook and Twitter.
“I just tested positive for COVID. I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise,” he wrote.
Obama’s last visit to the White House came on the morning of Donald Trump’s2017 swearing-in ceremony, when he and then First LadyMichelle Obamawelcomed Trump and incoming First LadyMelania Trumpahead of their time in office.
source: people.com
