Jennifer Cannistra, Policy Analyst and Director of Special Projects for the Office of Health Reform
While many of us show up to work in cubicles tucked within bland office buildings, a chosen group of talented men and women spend long hours toiling for a singularly high-profile boss: the president. They work to enact policy changes and strengthen the bond between the president and the people. They document the world in pictures and help the administration operate like a tightly run ship. They seem perpetually tied to their BlackBerries. And no matter whether they work for a Republican or Democrat, the people employed by the president of the United States share at least one thing in common: A serious commitment to serving the American people. Here, a small selection of some of the bright minds who are currently working for President Barack Obama—what brought them to the White House, their roles, their expectations and their experiences.
JENNIFER CANNISTRA
POLICY ANALYST & DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS, OFFICE OF HEALTH REFORM
What is your role at the White House?
I work in the Office of Health Reform as part of the team working to pass health insurance reform.
What led you to your current position?
I have a public policy and legal background, and I became interested in health care after talking to people struggling with the broken system. Many families I represented through legal services work were uninsured or burdened by rising health care costs. After organizing and doing policy work for the Obama campaign, I jumped at the chance to join the health care team during the presidential transition, and I moved over to the Office of Health Reform after the inauguration.
What has surprised you the most working for this president?
I don’t think I realized just how much the president would be able to listen directly to the concerns of individual Americans and make sure his policies worked for them. For example, the president reads 10 letters every day from the thousands sent to the White House. Our office will receive copies of health care letters with handwritten notes from the president: “How will health reform help her?” or “Can we fix this problem? Please get back to me.” It is a tangible reminder that the president thinks each day about how his policies will affect every American.
How palpable is the sense of history for you when, say, you poke your head into the Oval Office or the Roosevelt Room?
It is definitely an amazing feeling every time I attend health reform meetings in the Roosevelt Room. In speeches the president has often mentioned that since Teddy Roosevelt first called for health reform in 1912, seven presidents—Democrats and Republicans—have taken up the cause. In the Roosevelt Room, there is a large painting of Teddy Roosevelt over the mantel, and it is a potent reminder of the historic nature of President Obama’s push for reform, and how hard the president is fighting, despite nearly a century of setbacks, to bring health care stability and security to all Americans.
What do you do to try to achieve balance in your life?
Running has always been an important part of my life. I no longer compete and it’s often hard to find the time, but on weekends when I can get away, I love to run around the monuments. My favorite part is running up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and then looking out toward the Capitol. Washington can feel very partisan at times, and this is an amazing reminder that what unites our country is so much bigger and more important than anything that divides us.
Who is the most interesting/memorable person you have encountered in the White House so far?
My husband works down the hall from me, so I’m going to have to go with him!
What has been your most interesting or compelling White House experience?
In December 2008, then President-elect Obama encouraged Americans across the country to host and participate in Health Care Community Discussions to talk about the problems they face with the health care system and their proposed solutions. The health reform team and a group of dedicated volunteers read and analyzed group submissions from 3,276 discussions around the country, and at the White House Forum on Health Reform in March 2009, President Obama received a final report on the discussions. It was an incredible experience to lead this project, and the stories in the final report are a powerful testament to how much health reform means for millions of Americans.
Was The West Wing a good primer for working at the White House, or was it a source of gross misinformation?
I’ve watched plenty of West Wing episodes, so I can give a very informed response of “It depends!” But overall, I think the White House staff, similar to the television show, is incredibly honored in more ways than we can express to be serving our country and the president.
What sort of presence does Michelle Obama bring to the mansion?
The first lady brings an unbelievable amount of passion to every issue she talks about, whether it is mentoring, childhood obesity or opening up the White House to all Americans. We have been so lucky that Mrs. Obama has brought her voice to the health reform debate through several events highlighting how reform will help women, including older women and those diagnosed with breast cancer. The first lady is an amazing role model, and I have so much admiration and respect for her.