NYC Gazette

The Obama Presidency Oral History project has released 26 new interviews and 400 new stories related to healthcare reform on an innovative new website. Coinciding with the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the release sheds light on the journey of the ACA from inception to implementation through the voices of various individuals.

Principal Investigator, Peter Bearman, emphasized the significance of understanding the ACA's impact, stating, “The ACA is an extraordinary achievement that changed the lives of tens of millions of Americans.” Associate Research Scholar Evan McCormick highlighted the project's expansive design, crucial for comprehending healthcare reform, citing an interview with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Anne DeParle, who recalled President Obama using a Rubik’s Cube as a metaphor for the intricate process of getting various components to align.

McCormick noted, "Seeing the ACA from the inside-out and the outside-in makes it possible to understand the complex process by which the law came to be, and what it means to Americans more than a dozen years later." The latest release includes interviews with key figures like union leaders Andy Stern and Richard Trumka, former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, and medical association presidents Carolyn Britton and Nancy Nielsen, all of whom played essential roles in shaping the ACA.

Moreover, the release highlights the stories of engaged citizens like Connie Anderson, Jim Houser, and Michael Minor, who influenced healthcare advocacy during the Obama Administration. The project's website, known for its accessibility and user-friendliness, has introduced new innovations that enhance the online availability of oral histories.

One core innovation is the development of stories extracted from interviews, allowing users to explore different perspectives easily. These stories are used to create features such as timelines, maps, and playlists, making oral history interviews more navigable. Chris Pandza, involved in the project's public-facing design, emphasized that these innovations provide multiple entry points for individuals from various backgrounds to engage with the content.

As the Obama Presidency Oral History archive continues to grow, more features are expected to be added, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding the intricate process of healthcare reform during the Obama Administration.