Weekly Address: Joe Biden on 'A Weekly Conversation: On the Line' with Barack Obama - June 5, 2021


Joe Biden on 'A Weekly Conversation: On the Line' with Barack Obama [2021-06-05]
Barack Obama
Joe Biden
Republicans
ACA
American Rescue

Joe Biden
00:00:00 - 00:00:13 ()
Really good news, folks. Great news. 31 million people are now covered by the Affordable Care Act, and I know someone who's gonna really wanna know that number is up as high as it is, but I gotta call this fella.
Very Positive
Barack Obama
00:00:13 - 00:00:14 ()
Mr. President.
Unknown
Joe Biden
00:00:14 - 00:00:18 ()
Hey, Mr. President. How you doing, pal? [Laughs]
Unknown
Barack Obama
00:00:18 - 00:00:38 ()
I'm doing good, man. How you doing? Joe Biden, we did this together. We always talked about how if we could get the principle of universal coverage established, we could then build on it, and I just wanna say how proud I am of what you've done now with the American Rescue Plan.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:00:38 - 00:00:50 ()
When we opened up the enrollment period again and reduced the cost, 1.2 million people signed up on top of the 30 million, and look how many times they tried to defeat your legislation.
Slightly Negative
Barack Obama
00:00:50 - 00:00:55 ()
The ACA, later known as Obamacare, which I take pride in --
Somewhat Positive
Joe Biden
00:00:55 - 00:00:57 ()
And I keep reminding people --
Unknown
Barack Obama
00:00:57 - 00:01:20 ()
It -- it was built on a model that combined good ideas from Democrats and Republicans. You know, you and I have both had some -- some tragic, you know, illnesses in -- in our families. We know what it's like emotionally, and that's compounded if a family, when somebody who they love deeply gets sick, is now also trying to figure out, how do I pay the bills?
Leans Negative
Barack Obama
00:01:20 - 00:01:26 ()
Can I get the best treatment? Am I gonna have to mortgage my house? Am I gonna have to drain all my retirement savings?
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:01:26 - 00:01:46 ()
Who -- you were so good when Beau was dying. I literally remember sitting on the bed with him, within a week or so of him passing away, and thinking, what in God's name would I do if I got a notice from the insurance company saying you've outrun your coverage?
Unknown
Barack Obama
00:01:46 - 00:02:09 ()
The effort was worth it. The families that, uh, have been able to care for their loved ones, be cured, have access to care, uh, that all makes it worthwhile. So, I just wanna thank your administration and all the folks who've been working on this for now building on it and continuing to expand it.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:02:09 - 00:02:22 ()
If I had a dime for everyone who said to me over the last two years campaigning and as president, "Tell the president," meaning you, "I said thank you. It saved my life, save my..." No, I mean it.
Very Positive
Barack Obama
00:02:22 - 00:02:25 ()
That's cau -- I, that's 'cause I had a good partner. [Laughter]
Positive
Barack Obama
00:02:25 - 00:02:41 ()
And because of what you've done, Joe, the special enrollment period is still open until August 15th, so anybody whose watching us in this conversation and still hasn't looked into it, go to healthcare.gov. Healthcare.gov works like a charm these days. [Laughter]
Very Positive
Barack Obama
00:02:41 - 00:02:51 ()
Mr. President, thank you for doing what you're doing. I'm proud of you. Keep it up. We're gonna get even more people covered in the years to come under your guidance. Love you, man.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:02:51 - 00:02:53 ()
I'm still gonna call you for advice. [Laughter]
Unknown
Barack Obama
00:02:53 - 00:02:54 ()
See you, brother.
Unknown
Joe Biden
00:02:54 - 00:03:00 ()
All right, thank you. Bye-bye.
Somewhat Positive