Analysis

Health Care Reform:

Young adults (up to 26 years) may now continue to receive coverage under policies of parents (effective 2010)

Medicare improved to provide free preventive care (2011)

• Affordable health insurance guaranteed to children and adults with preexisting conditions (2010)
• Medicare recipients of Medicare part D (prescription drug) whose expenses place them in the �doughnut hole� will receive 50% discount on brand-name drugs
• Non-medical expenses of health insurance plans cannot exceed 20% (2011)
• The number of doctors, nurses, and health-care professionals in the National Health Service Corps has nearly tripled in the last three years (over 10,000).

Civil Rights:

Don't Ask-Don't Tell (DADT) policy by US military was terminated across all branches of the service without notable disruption

• The US Department of Justice successfully sued to block intrusion of states into immigration policy
• Stymied by Congress on immigration reform, the Administration has issued guidance that urges law enforcement officials to avoid seeking deportation of individuals with no record of criminal offenses

Defense:

All US military has been withdrawn from Iraq as promised

Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed by US forces

The US fostered successful NATO support for rebel forces which overthrew long-time US antagonist Muammar Gaddafi without putting US boots on the ground

Environment:

The EPA issued long-delayed (more than 20 years!) regulations which will reduce mercury and other pollutants from power plants and other major sources

Delayed approval of XL Pipeline to enable improved look at alternatives and environmental effects

Jobs, Employment and the Economy:

Over the course of 2011, unemployment has declined from 9.8% in November 2010 to 8.6% in November, 2011

• Job growth continues to be positive

Government:

Government did not shut down

• Despite Republican opposition, budget cuts were few
• The Democrats saved Medicare and Social Security from future Republican cuts.