Published by: Mark Campbell on 3/31/2010 3:39:06 PM
Yesterday I was privileged to be at the bill signing for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The setting was Northern Virginia Community College and was focused on the education pieces in the legislation—particularly increased support for Pell grants. The bill signing which made health care reform the law of the land happened last week, but it was still exciting to be there when the President, in the presence of Speaker Pelosi and so many other legislators, signed this additional component of reform into law. Finally our country joins the many other industrialized nations who ensure that their citizens have access to health care.
Jill Biden, a professor at the college, introduced the President. President Obama’s speech touched on how two pillars of well-being for the middle class – health reform and education reform – were accomplished in the last year, sounding themes that are likely to be repeated in the upcoming mid-term elections.
I thought about how momentous the occasion was – my enthusiasm dwarfed only by the many college students who were in the auditorium. I thought about how much hard work we face as we implement this legislation in the years to come and the important role that NAPH and its members will have in those efforts – making sure that all of the newly insured can access health care in a rational and meaningful way. Most of all I enjoyed being there – sometimes life is good and you get to share something special and important with other people. For me, yesterday was that day!