The White House
Health Care Reform Today
October 21, 1993
- Speaking before the Health Reform Symposium at
the JFK Library in Boston, Carl Schramm, Executive
Vice President of Fortis, Inc. and former head of
the Health Insurance Association of America, told
the audience that the current lobbying campaign by
the insurance industry was reprehensible and
irresponsible, and stressed that many innovative
insurers were excited about the prospects of reform,
and wanted no part of the anti-reform efforts of the
HIAA's coalition. Mr. Schramm is right to point out
that many insurers who have long-recognized the
value of things like preventive coverage and
community rating stand to benefit from reform, and
we applaud him for being a constructive spokesperson
for his industry.
- At the same forum, Senior White House Policy
Advisor Ira Magaziner, discussed the principles and
components of the reform legislation the President
will send to the Congress within the week. He said
the Administration approaches the coming national
debate with both confidence and humility: confident
that the President's proposal includes a thorough
and explicit description of a plan that builds on
the strengths of the current system, and makes clear
what benefits are covered and how reform is
financed. And, at the same time, humility to
accept that we do not have a monopoly on all the
good ideas, and that where people come forward with
better suggestions, we will be open to them.
- We were very disappointed to read the release
put out by National Association of Manufacturer's
President Jerry Jasinowski calling the President's
Health Security Act "too ambitious" and that it must
be "dramatically scaled back." While we will
continue to seek input from all constructive
parties, and we hope the NAM will be among them,
they should know that a comprehensive benefits plan
that provides health security to all Americans is a
principle on which we will not compromise. We
continue to be gratified by the support of
individual NAM members such as GM, Ford, Chrysler,
Bethlehem Steel, USX, ADM, and LTV.
- Today, President Clinton will speak to
Businesses for Social Responsibility to reinforce
how the Health Security Act is good for business,
small and large alike. He will discuss the specific
benefits in the plan and that socially responsible
corporate practices are linked to competitiveness
and productivity.