Michelle Obama talks health care, insurance with women in Pontiac

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Michelle Obama talks health care, insurance with women in Pontiac
BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • JULY 9, 2008


Working three jobs, Eloise Williams of Pontiac started choking up when she talked about the lack of vacation, health care and even dignity in her life.

“I found a lump in my breast and had no health insurance,” Williams told Michelle Obama, during a town hall meeting in Pontiac today. “It was the most humiliating experience in my life.”

It was a story that was repeated again and again during the hour-long discussion of issues facing working women.

“We want to actually put policies in place that will provide the kind of support that families need to survive and thrive,” Michelle Obama told a crowd of about 200 people at the Crofoot theater in downtown Pontiac.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS15/80709071

[Fovea]

1. "We want to actually put policies in place"

So said the Clintons in 91.
Instead they abolished the last of the safety net for average Murkins.

[tanyev]

2. George Bush would have told her that she's uniquely American.

Mary is with us. Mary Mornin. How are you, Mary?

MS. MORNIN: I'm fine.

THE PRESIDENT: Good. Okay, Mary, tell us about yourself.

MS. MORNIN: Okay, I'm a divorced, single mother with three grown, adult children. I have one child, Robbie, who is mentally challenged, and I have two daughters.

THE PRESIDENT: Fantastic. First of all, you've got the hardest job in America, being a single mom.

MS. MORNIN: Thank you. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: You and I are baby boomers.

MS. MORNIN: Yes, and I am concerned about -- that the system stays the same for me.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

MS. MORNIN: But I do want to see change and reform for my children because I realize that we will be in trouble down the road.

THE PRESIDENT: It's an interesting point, and I hear this a lot -- will the system be the same for me? And the answer is, absolutely. One of the things we have to continue to clarify to people who have retired or near retirement -- you fall in the near retirement.

MS. MORNIN: Yes, unfortunately, yes. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't know. I'm not going to tell your age, but you're one year younger than me, and I'm just getting started. (Laughter.)

MS. MORNIN: Okay, okay.

THE PRESIDENT: I feel great, don't you?

MS. MORNIN: Yes, I do.

THE PRESIDENT: I remember when I turned 50, I used to think 50 was really old. Now I think it's young, and getting ready to turn 60 here in a couple of years, and I still feel young. I mean, we are living longer, and people are working longer, and the truth of the matter is, elderly baby boomers have got a lot to offer to our society, and we shouldn't think about giving up our responsibilities in society. (Applause.) Isn't that right?

MS. MORNIN: That's right.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, but nevertheless, there's a certain comfort to know that the promises made will be kept by the government.

MS. MORNIN: Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: And so thank you for asking that. You don't have to worry.

MS. MORNIN: That's good, because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.

THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?

MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)

MS. MORNIN: Not much. Not much.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, hopefully, this will help you get you sleep to know that when we talk about Social Security, nothing changes.

MS. MORNIN: Okay, thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: That's great.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050204-3.html