Progress in this country never comes easy or quick. For every few hard-earned steps forward, we might stumble a couple steps back. But sometimes, the slow, steady effort of generations is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.

That's exactly what happened in a remarkable sprint of history ten years ago this week. The Supreme Court upheld a critical part of the Affordable Care Act. A day later, it recognized a Constitutional right to marriage equality. And that same afternoon, a congregation in Charleston, still reeling from a horrifying act of racial violence but fortified by the extraordinary courage of ordinary friends and neighbors, led the country in a chorus of Amazing Grace.

Over the years, I’ve been moved by so many of you who’ve shared how the Affordable Care Act has transformed your lives and allowed you to get the coverage you need.

I wanted to share some of those stories with you and I hope you’ll share your story, too. When Steven was only 26-years-old, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. If it wasn’t for the Medicaid expansion in the ACA, Steven says he wouldn’t have been able to afford the medication he has to take for the rest of his life.

Fourteen years ago today, I signed the Affordable Care Act into law.

Afterwards, one Republican member of the House called the ACA the “most dangerous piece of legislation ever passed in Congress.” Another predicted the country would “never recover from it.”

But then something else happened: it actually worked. Since the ACA was passed, the percentage of uninsured Americans has been cut in half. And thanks to the investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made to build on the ACA, more than 21 million Americans now have access to quality, affordable health care.

Yesterday, voters across the country turned out for the values we’re fighting for – because they know state and local elections matter. Once again, voters made it clear that they believe women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.

In Ohio, voters chose to enshrine abortion rights into their state constitution. And in Kentucky, @AndyBeshearKY won a second term as governor after standing up for abortion rights.

I wanted to share some thoughts on what’s happening right now in Israel and Gaza.

barackobama.medium.com/my-statement-o… Here are some stories with useful perspectives and helpful background information:

“Israel Is About to Make a Terrible Mistake” by Thomas L. Friedman

nytimes.com/2023/10/19/opi…

If you need a reminder that elections have consequences, check out what's happening in Minnesota.

minnpost.com/state-governme… Earlier this year, Democrats took control of the State Senate by one seat after winning a race by just 321 votes. It gave Democrats control of both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s mansion.

This week's climate report from the IPCC is an urgent reminder of the limited window we have to deal with the climate crisis. In order to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, it will require everyone to do their part. washingtonpost.com/climate-enviro… The impacts of climate change are why we pushed so hard for the Paris Agreement during my time in office—no nation is immune from the harmful effects of this crisis and we all have a role to play in addressing it.

Today marks two years since the Biden-Harris administration began. I’ve been reflecting on how fortunate we’ve been to have the steady leadership of @POTUS and @VP—and all the public servants working to deliver for folks across the country. They’ve strengthened the Affordable Care Act. They’ve lowered health care costs for seniors. They’ve capped the costs of insulin. They’ve distributed hundreds of millions of free vaccines.

I can't emphasize enough how much Secretary of State races matter. They don’t always get the most attention, but they’re crucial to ensuring we have fair elections—and this time, voters across the country chose candidates who will fight for democracy. Let's celebrate Democratic candidates like @CiscoForNevada, who will be Nevada’s next Secretary of State. His opponent spread conspiracy theories and lies about voting machines. Cisco will protect the integrity of Nevada’s elections.

You’ve only got six days left to vote in the midterms – and while I know you’ve heard this a million times already, this election really is too important to sit out.

In many places, your vote could make the difference. Yesterday I traveled to Nevada to support some incredible Democrats up and down the ticket.

Candidates like @StevenHorsford, @dinatitus, @SusieLeeNV, @CiscoForNevada, @AaronDFordNV, @SteveSisolak, and @CortezMasto who will work to fight for you.

Michigan – we've got to show up and vote for Democrats up and down the ballot. Tuning out is not an option.

Despair is not an option.

The only way to make this economy fairer is if we, all of us, fight for it.

Today, books that shaped my life—and many others—are being challenged in schools, bookstores, and libraries by people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives. Often, these “banned books” are written by or feature people of color and members of LGBTQ communities. This year, I’m celebrating Banned Books Week and the freedom to read with people across the country. I wrote out a few of my thoughts, and wanted to share the stories of some folks who are working on this issue.
barackobama.medium.com/heres-why-i-m-…

Yesterday, I spoke at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit to discuss the challenges to democracy around the world, and the work we can do right now with the next generation of leaders to chart a better course. On every continent, emboldened autocrats are ramping up oppression, they’re targeting minority groups, they’re often flouting international law.

Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies—and in the back of their minds, they’re worried about what might happen tomorrow after they drop their kids off at school, or take them to a grocery store or any other public space. Michelle and I grieve with the families in Uvalde, who are experiencing pain no one should have to bear.

The way I’m going to evaluate any proposal touching on social media and the internet is whether it strengthens or weakens the prospects for healthy, inclusive democracy. As part of this, tech platforms need to recognize that they play a unique role in how people consume information, and their decisions have an impact on every aspect of society.

With that power comes accountability – and the need for some democratic oversight.

The Affordable Care Act is an example of why you run for office – not just to occupy a seat, but to make a difference in people’s lives.

Today I’m joining @POTUS and @VP at the White House to celebrate everything the ACA has achieved, and help make it even better. Passing the ACA was incredibly difficult. People who had coverage were worried about losing it, the media was skeptical, misinformation was flying around, and Republicans showed no interest in working with us. But Joe, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and I were determined.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen people, organizations, and companies around the world stepping up to support the people of Ukraine. Here are some examples I’ve been tracking: Drawing on her own story as a refugee, 2018 Obama Fellow @ZarlashtH started the Refugee Trauma Initiative to care for displaced refugees in Greece. Now, @RefugeeTraumaUK is providing lifesaving support to Ukrainians who need help. refugeetrauma.org/ukraine

Three years ago, I helped @EricHolder launch @AllOnTheLine, a people-powered campaign to fight gerrymandering and advocate for fair redistricting. All On The Line is driven by the core belief that voters should choose their representatives—not the other way around. Since then, folks across the country have participated in the redistricting process—many for the first time. It’s a testament to the work @AllOnTheLine has done to help folks understand why fair maps matter, and make an impact in their communities.

When I signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, it included $90 billion for clean energy projects. At the time, it was the biggest investment in renewable energy in American history. .@JoeBiden played a major role in getting that passed—and over our eight years in office, carbon emissions decreased by nine percent, while the U.S. economy grew by more than 10 percent.

In his inaugural address one year ago today, @POTUS committed to “press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and possibility.” In the year since, he and the @VP have made significant progress in the face of enormous challenges. For eight years, I witnessed firsthand the empathy and precision @POTUS brought to our work repairing the American economy. And one year into his presidency, President Biden's administration has led a historic recovery effort.

Over the next few days, I'll share my annual list of favorite books, music, and movies. Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year. I'll start by sharing some of my favorite books of 2021: Since these are works I have actually listened to, watched, or read, I’m sure I’ve missed some worthy stuff. So if you have your own recommendations to share, I’ll add them to the stack of books and movies I hope to catch up on over the holidays!