Last night President Obama delivered his 5th State of the Union Address. During the near 90 minute speech, he covered topics like the citizenship, the United States’ military presence in the Middle East, and equal pay. An increase to minimum wage was a hot topic in the speech. President Obama would like to see it increase to $10.10 per hour. That portion of the speech provided the most easily quoted moment of the night, “Give America a raise.”
In a blink-and-you-missed-it moment, the president also, unsurprisingly, talked a bit about health care and the still much-debated Affordable Care Act.
If you didn’t catch the speech last night, or aren’t interested in watching it in its entirety, here’s what you need to know:
- President Obama stated that the Let’s Move campaign has helped decrease childhood obesity levels for the first time in 30 years.
- He also said that this reduction in childhood obesity should lead to lower health care costs for years to come.
- More than 3 million people under the age of 26 have gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
- Under the Affordable Care Act, those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, back pain, or cancer can no longer be denied health insurance coverage.
- Women cannot be charged more for coverage based on their gender.
- Those without health insurance are encouraged to sign up and get covered. The deadline is March 31.
Video from The New York Times
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