By Lindsay Holt

President  Obama made good on another campaign promise Tuesday, as the official U.S. troop withdrawal form Iraq began. But that is not the only project he has been working on since taking office.

Reforming health care is the next important item on Obama’s agenda, which aims to implement a series of plans to cut costs and unify service and coverage.

According to the White House’s official Web site on the topic, premiums for employer-sponsored health care programs have almost doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages have risen.

The Web site also indicates workers who earn the minimum wage could be priced out of health insurance entirely.

The 2010 fiscal year budget includes provisions for changes Obama hopes to make in health care over the next ten years. Included in the budget is $630 billion, over ten years, set aside to create some new programs, while giving the current system an entire overhaul.

The White House Web site is careful to not use the term “universal health care,” however, it does describe the need for “universality,” which means a clearly defined path for getting all Americans insured.

Other stipulations of a new health care plan would include portability, eliminating the need to work a job solely for health care benefits, and allowing Americans to easily move in and out of work without upsetting coverage; an investment in health and wellness, preventing problems before they happen; and a total departure from paper records, making finding and transferring medical records via computer and internet simple and cost-effective.

Many critics of the health care reform claim the Obama administration wants to create a government-run insurance program. The Republican Party’s official Web site lists many of the same goals laid out by the president, but warns about government coming between the people and their health coverage.

The site also argues that real reform will come when putting control in the hands of patients and providers, not the government.

The president also took his health care initiative on the road Wednesday and pitched the new plan in front of a supportive crowd in Annandale, Va. Watch below Obama hug cancer patient Debby Smith, 53, who has kidney cancer and is not able to obtain insurance or hold a job.

Despite deep divisions among Democrats, the House passed an ambitious and historic climate change legislation, June 26, that could lead to significant changes in many of the nation’s economy sectors, including electric power generation, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

The bill passed 219 to 212, with 44 Democrats voting against the legislation and nine Republicans voting for it. The measure aims to cut America’s greenhouse gases by 17 percent by 2020, and 83 percent by 2050.

This is the first step the United States has taken towards addressing climate change, and for nearly 20 years the country has resisted mandatory limits on heat-trapping emissions, the New York Times reports. The legislation also sets America apart as the leader in global change negotiations, set for December in Copenhagen.

President Obama has made climate change one of his top domestic priorities, in addition to health-care reform.

Read here an interesting analysis of the new legislation, and how it will affect farmers.

Legendary performer Michael Jackson died after suffering a cardiac arrest June 25 at his rented home in LA. He was 50. This is  sad, sad news for the whole world. Rest in peace, Michael!

Quincy Jones: “I’ve lost my little brother today,” Jones said in a statement, “part of my soul has gone with him.” Said Jones: “Divinity brought our souls together… and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80’s. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all….”

Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

Lisa Marie Presley: “I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”

Brooke Shields: “My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”

Whitney Houston: “I am full of grief.”

Elizabeth Taylor is “too devastated” to issue a statement, People reports.

Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy: “Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon.”

My own thoughts: I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael. I am still in shock and keep saying ‘I can’t believe Michael Jackson is dead!’ even though I am writing about it in this blog. The first video I ever saw was the amazing Thriller and this was 20 years ago. It still remains my favorite video of all times. The world mourns, Michael. You changed the way we look at music and entertainment. Thank you and rest in peace!

Share your favorite MJ moments.

Despite giving up a goal in the fourth minute, the U.S. Men National Team managed to please a crowd of 55, 647 fans and beat Honduras 2-1, during an exciting FIFA World Cup Qualifier game last night at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

“The most important thing for us was the response of the team after giving up the first goal,” said head coach Bob Bradley during a press conference after the game. “It showed a great deal about what these guys are all about. From that standpoint, that’s an important step for us as we try to move forward. It was a tough game for sure. It’s not easy when you start the game and give up a goal the first time the opponent comes down the field. The response was strong, and it was an important three points.”

U.S. remains in second place in the final round hexagonal with 10 points from the first five games. Last night’s victory was also the first in qualifying for the United States in more than 24 years, the last occurring on May 15, 1985 against Trinidad & Tobago in St. Louis.

Watch below highlights from the press conference after the game, as well as what some players had to say about the match.

Quick Hits:

· Honduras took the lead early on after Carlos Costly won the ball near the midfield line and scored the opening goal against U.S.

· Landon Donovan leveled the score out of a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. This was his 11th career goal in World Cup Qualifying and set U.S. record.

· Carlos Bocanegra’s game-winning goal came in the 68th minute and was his second game-winner of the qualifying cycle, with his first coming against Guatemala on Aug. 20, 2008, in Guatemala City.

· Chicago’s Soldier Field hosted a FIFA World Cup Qualifier for the first time and had the second highest attendance for a FIFA home game. There were 55, 647 people at the stadium.

The U.S. will depart on Monday for South Africa to prepare for its opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup on June 15 against Italy in Tshwane/Pretoria. The Americans continue the eight-team tournament against Brazil on June 18 before moving to Rustenberg to round out group play on June 21 against Egypt.

After the Confederations Cup, the U.S. will continue its busy summer by defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup title. The 2009 edition of the regional championship kicks off on July 4 against Grenada at Qwest Field in Seattle and continues on July 8 against Honduras in Washington, D.C., and July 11 against Haiti in Foxborough, Mass.