The White House
Health Care Reform Today
October 22, 1993
- We appreciated the letter yesterday from
National Association of Manufacturer's President
Jerry Jasinowski, where he expressed his regrets
over the negative comments made on Wednesday. He
wrote: "As I have consistently said to the
press, your health care proposal has far more
positive elements than problems, and it is the
best health care package that has been proposed
thus far."
However, we must once again emphasis that the
President's principles of health security for all
Americans and a comprehensive benefits package
will not be compromised.
- From the President on those who say that
health alliances are big government: "When you
hear all this stuff that theses alliances are big
bureaucratic nightmares and government creations,
that's not true. The alliances are groups of
consumers in each state in groups approved by the
state, not by the federal government, that will
have buying power presently available to
governments and to big business but not to small
business and often not even to medium-sized
business. This will give smaller businesses
and self-employed people access to market
economics."
- We look forward to working with Senator
Breaux and the co-sponsors of his bill. Senator
Breaux is a consensus builder and played a
constructive role in the budget process.
Co-sponsor, Senator Joseph Lieberman said in his
statement: "I believe universal coverage is a
necessary component of genuine health care
reform." We agree. And we believe Senator Breaux
and his colleagues will play a role in getting
comprehensive health care reform passed during
this session of Congress.
- From the First Lady's visit to Chicago
yesterday...where she said that Americans want an
overhaul of our health care system. The reason is
clear the cost of the status-quo and of doing
nothing is simply too costly both in dollar terms
and in human suffering. She said: "All of us
have to give direction to our members of Congress.
We know what will happen if we do nothing."
- We welcome Marla Romash to the Health Care
Delivery Room where she will serve as the
spokesperson for health care. She joins us from
the Vice-President's office.